Symptoms of Bladder Problems

Frequent urination means urinating too often or too many times a day; generally, going more than eight times a day is considered frequent. Many issues can lead to this symptom, including conditions that cause the body to produce more urine, changes that affect how the bladder works, some medications, or the amount that someone drinks.

Possible causes of frequent urination can include benign prostatic hyperplasia, bladder stones, kidney infections, urinary tract infections, type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or drinking alcohol or caffeine.

Urgent urination is the sudden, strong need to urinate, which can occur when the bladder is not full. This urge can come on so suddenly that it can be impossible to delay using the restroom. Common causes of urgent urination may include enlarged prostate, urinary tract infections, urethral infection, nerve-related problems, or caffeine intake.

It is worth noting that frequent urination and urinary urgency can occur together, depending on the cause, but they are two distinct symptoms.

Dysuria, or pain/burning during urination, is often caused by irritation or inflammation in the urinary tract, the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. Causes of dysuria are generally divided into two categories: infectious and non-infectious.

Infections in the urinary tract, prostate, and vagina can cause burning or pain during urination, as can some sexually-transmitted diseases. Non-infectious causes include stones in the urinary tract, skin conditions, benign prostatic hypertrophy, trauma, and tumors. Some medications and anatomic abnormalities can also cause dysuria.

Blood in the urine, known as hematuria, can appear in two forms. Gross hematuria is visible to the naked eye, while microscopic hematuria requires testing, such as urinalysis, to detect. Even a small amount of blood can discolor urine, ranging from pink to brown.

Causes of hematuria range from mild to serious. Common triggers include infections, kidney stones, or vigorous physical activity. More severe causes may involve conditions like kidney disease, blood clotting disorders, or cancers of the kidney, bladder, or prostate. Any amount of visible blood in the urine should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out serious causes.

There are multiple types of urinary incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when you exert pressure on your bladder by laughing, coughing, sneezing, or lifting something heavy. Urge incontinence can happen as a result of urinary urgency and occurs when you have the sudden urge to urinate but do not make it to the bathroom in time. Overflow incontinence can happen when the bladder does not empty and continues to dribble, even after using the bathroom.

Another type of incontinence is functional incontinence, which occurs when a mental or physical impairment prevents one from making it to the toilet in time. For example, if you have arthritis, you may be unable to unbutton your pants quickly enough.

Temporary incontinence can occur from certain drinks or medications that stimulate increased urinary volume, like alcohol, caffeine, and heart and blood pressure medications. Persistent urinary incontinence can result from pregnancy, childbirth, age-related changes, menopause, and an enlarged prostate.

Other conditions that can lead to incontinence are prostate cancer, obstruction, and neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, a spinal injury, or stroke. These conditions can interfere with the nerves of the bladder, leading to incontinence.

  Nocturia is the need to get up regularly at night to urinate. Most people can sleep six to eight hours without urinating, but people with nocturia wake up at least once a night regularly to use the bathroom.

Multiple scenarios can cause nocturia, including drinking too much fluid too close to bedtime or taking diuretics. Medical conditions that can cause nocturia include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or sleep disorders.

Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis can be related to bladder health. Urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and interstitial cystitis can cause pain in this region.

Interstitial cystitis is a chronic condition that causes irritation in the bladder lining, leading to bladder pressure and pain.

Healthy urine is generally clear or light yellow and does not have a strong odor. Changes in urine color or odor are often harmless but can occasionally signal underlying issues. Cloudy or milky urine can be a sign of a urinary tract infection. Dark brown, clear urine can indicate problems in the liver or severe dehydration. Pink, red, or light brown urine can be a sign of blood, which can be caused by hemolytic anemia, trauma, or a tumor in the kidneys or bladder.

Urine odor can also indicate problems in the body. For example, foul-smelling urine can indicate a bacterial infection, sweet-smelling urine can be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes, and musty-smelling urine can be a sign of liver disease. Many foods, dyes, and medications can also change the color and scent of urine.

If you have signs of an infection, including a fever and chills, see blood in your urine, or are experiencing pain, talk to a medical professional.

Various conditions, including UTIs, interstitial cystitis, bladder stones, or certain medications, can cause bladder symptoms. Diet can also affect bladder health. Drinks like coffee, alcohol, and sodas can irritate the bladder and lead to frequent urination, and some citrus fruits and juices can increase the acidity levels in the urine, which can lead to irritation. Increased fluid intake can lead to increased urine output, as can eating foods with a high water content, like celery, watermelon, or cucumber.

If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, they can indicate a serious health condition, and you should seek guidance from a healthcare provider:

• Bladder pain
• Blood in the urine
• Urinary urgency
• Needing to urinate more than ten times a day
• Increased nighttime urination
• Bladder leakage

According to the Mayo Clinic, "Ignoring bladder symptoms can lead to complications. If you're experiencing frequent urination, urgency, pain, or blood in your urine, it's important to consult a healthcare provider."

There are also ways to support bladder health, including using the bathroom every three to four hours, empty your bladder completely when you go, do pelvic floor exercises, limit alcohol and caffeine, and drink enough fluids, especially water.