Facts about our bladder
August 8, 2023
6 min
The bladder is one of the most flexible organs in the human body. In this article you will learn more about the bladder, its function and incontinence.
What functions does our bladder have?
As already mentioned in the blog post about the kidneys, the kidneys filter toxic substances and other substances from our body. These substances are excreted in the urine. The bladder collects the urine produced by the kidneys. The urine is transported from the kidneys to our bladder via the ureters. The bladder therefore serves as a buffer for our urine so that we don't have to urinate all the time. When the bladder fills up, it expands - similar to a balloon. The bladder therefore changes its size and shape depending on how full it is.
How does the bladder know when to release urine?
In the bladder wall, which consists of a bladder muscle, special nerve cells register the stretching and signal to the brain that the bladder is full. When urinating, the bladder muscle contracts and the urine can flow out via the urethra.
What does "incontinence" mean?
People who suffer from incontinence normally no longer have control over emptying their bladder. The "urination" happens completely at random. The causes can vary. In general, women are more frequently affected by incontinence than men, as pregnancy and childbirth put particular strain on the urogenital system.
How much urine can the bladder store?
The capacity of the bladder is often greater in men than in women. However, the urge to urinate arises from a bladder filling of around 250 ml. The maximum capacity of an adult depends on body size and is between 900 and 1500 ml.
Women are more susceptible to bladder infections than men. Why is that?
A bladder infection - also known as cystitis - is an infection of the bladder that is normally caused by bacteria. In most cases, this type of inflammation is extremely painful and unpleasant for those affected. Women are more susceptible to bladder infections due to the length of the urethra. The female urethra is only about 4 cm long - in contrast to men, whose urethra is between 17 and 20 cm long. The shorter urethra makes it easier for germs and bacteria to enter the bladder and cause inflammation.
How often is it normal to "urinate"?
If you drink a reasonable amount of water a day - i.e. between 1.5 and 2 litres a day - it is assumed that you empty your bladder between four and seven times a day. In total, an adult excretes around 1 to 1.5 litres of urine per day.
Bladder weakness: can you train your own bladder?
As the bladder consists of a muscle, it can be trained like any other muscle in the body. It is therefore possible to train the bladder to absorb more fluid and therefore stretch more. On the other hand, the bladder can also shrink if it is not exercised. Bladder training can help with this.
Bladder weakness and incontinence are also not uncommon after childbirth. The cause is usually weakened pelvic floor muscles. These muscles can also be trained: In our therapy centre, we offer postnatal gymnastics to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
Weitere Beiträge
Counsellor
More than just back pain - modern spinal medicine at Zollikerberg Hospital
Back pain is one of the most common health complaints - but not every diagnosis requires an operation. In this interview, Dr Beat Wälchli, Chief Physician and Head of the Spinal Surgery Clinic at Zollikerberg Hospital, talks about the interdisciplinary approach to treatment, the importance of careful indication and why teamwork and looking at the whole person are key.
Counsellor
Dangerous tiny creatures: Dr Thomas Stangl explains - how to protect yourself from ticks and their diseases
Ticks are widespread in Switzerland, especially in the warmer months - and they can transmit serious diseases that are often underestimated. But how do you recognise a tick bite correctly? When is medical help necessary? And which protective measures are really effective? We spoke to Dr Thomas Stangl, our experienced family doctor at the Hottingen Health Centre. He provides valuable insights and practical tips on the topic of ticks. Read the interview now and find out how you can best protect yourself and your family.
Counsellor
Lipoedema: When heaviness becomes a burden - holistic help for lipoedema
Lipoedema syndrome is a chronic disease of the subcutaneous fatty tissue that often goes unrecognised for years. It almost exclusively affects women and is often mistakenly equated with being overweight or obese. However, lipoedema is an independent, medically relevant diagnosis - with specific symptoms and treatment approaches. Many sufferers struggle with pain, feelings of tightness and a significant reduction in their quality of life. It is particularly distressing that the symptoms are often trivialised or misinterpreted - both in the social environment and in the medical context. Despite the term lipoedema - which suggests swelling (oedema) of the tissue - oedema is not necessarily present. Although this can occur concomitantly, it is not one of the typical characteristics of lipoedema syndrome.