Bladder not working. How does the bladder work

Bladder is a part excretory system most vertebrates, including humans. It is located in the pelvis and is extremely important for normal life organism. What are the structure and functions of the bladder? What are the dangers of violations in his work?

Animal bladder

For isolation in animals can serve absolutely various organs. In invertebrates they are more primitive. The functions of the bladder in them are performed by tubules, pores, excretory tubes or glands.

Most vertebrates have kidneys, ureters, and the bladder, an organ in which waste products accumulate before they leave the body, for excretion. He is absent from cartilaginous fish and birds, underdeveloped in crocodiles and some lizards.

The structure and function of the ureters and bladder differ in different organisms. In humans and mammals, they are the most complex. Their main feature is the separation from anus, which is not, for example, in amphibians and reptiles.

human urinary system

One of the products of our life is urine. It is 97% water and 3% decomposition products (acids, proteins, salts, glucose, etc.). The kidneys filter the blood and urine. They are similar in shape to beans and reach 10-12 centimeters in length.

One process departs from the kidneys, 30 centimeters long and up to 7 centimeters in diameter. These are muscular tubes that carry urine to the bladder in small portions at intervals of about 20 seconds.

When fluid accumulates enough, the bubble contracts and removes it through a special channel - the urethra. He is not the same different sexes. So, in women, the urethra is shorter and wider, in men it is longer (up to 25 cm) and narrow (up to 8 mm). In addition, in men, ducts with sperm enter it.

To prevent the urea from rising again with effort, the ureters narrow in three places: near the junction with the kidneys, at the junction with the bladder, and at the passage of the iliac vessels.

Where is the bubble?

The functions of the human bladder completely determine its structure and position inside the body. The organ is located in the lower part of the small pelvis in the retroperitoneal space behind the pubic region. On the sides, it is bordered by muscles that are responsible for raising the anus.

IN childhood it is located higher, in the area of ​​the peritoneum, and does not touch the organs of the reproductive system. Over time, its size and position changes somewhat. In men, it is located next to the rectum, and the bottom rests on the prostate. In women, the bladder is located near the vagina.

The following elements of the body are distinguished: the upper part, the body or the main part, the neck and the bottom. The apex is the narrowed part directed towards inner wall belly. Its end passes into the umbilical ligament.

Down from the top begins the main part. The ureters go deep into the bladder, and its bottom is located below between them and the urethra. Near the bottom, the body of the bladder narrows, forming a neck, which leads to the urethra.

Internal structure

The bladder is muscular organ. It is hollow inside, and its walls consist of several layers. From above, the body of the bladder is covered with smooth muscles: they are longitudinal on the outside, round in the middle, and reticulate inside. In the region of the neck, they are complemented by striated muscles.

Muscles are responsible for contraction of the bladder walls. Under them is a loose connective tissue in structure. It is penetrated by a dense network of blood vessels supplying the organ with blood. Inside is a mucous membrane of transitional epithelium. It secretes a secret that prevents the tissues of the bladder from coming into contact with microbes.

From the sides at an angle, the ureters enter the organ. Around the neck is a circular muscle - the sphincter. This is a kind of valve that, when compressed, closes the opening of the excretory canal and prevents spontaneous urination.

Functions of the bladder

This organ can easily be compared to a vessel or sac. In our body, it plays the role of a reservoir that accumulates the fluid processed by the kidneys, and then brings it out. Together with water, unnecessary substances come out of the body - excesses that cannot be absorbed, as well as poisons and toxins.

The function of the ureters, bladder and kidneys is clearly debugged. The kidneys work continuously in the body, and in the absence of a bladder, the urge to go to the toilet would be much more frequent. After all, we remember how often the ureters eject urine.

Thanks to our "storage" and, of course, the sphincter muscle that holds urine, a person can visit the restroom much less often and at a convenient time for him. It is also not worth abusing this, so as not to worsen the condition of the organs.

Features of the bladder

With moderate drinking and normal operation organs per day a person excretes up to 1.5-2 liters of urine. The capacity of the bladder itself in men is from 0.3 to 0.75 liters, and in women up to 0.5 liters.

In the absence of fluid, the organ is relaxed and resembles a deflated balloon. As it fills, its walls begin to stretch, increasing the volume of the cavity. The walls themselves become thinner, reducing the thickness several times.

A healthy person can go to the toilet 3-8 times a day. But this indicator is highly dependent on the amount of liquid drunk, air temperature and other factors. external conditions. We begin to feel the urge to urinate when the bladder fills more than 200 mm.

Except blood vessels, in the walls of the organ is a large number of nerve endings, nodes and neurons. They conduct a signal to the brain, reporting that the bubble is already full.

Diseases in men

Due to the peculiarities of the location of the organ, its disorders are more common in women. As a rule, in the male half of the population, the bladder suffers due to diseases of other systems. Prostatitis, for example, causes the prostate to enlarge, which blocks the urinary tract.

However, bladder function can be impaired by cystitis, urolithiasis disease, oncological diseases, tuberculosis, leukoplakia. Symptoms that clearly indicate wrong work organ are itching, burning, various discomfort, change in color, transparency and pressure of urine, "double urination", etc.

One of the disorders is the syndrome hyperactive bladder. During this illness, the urge to urinate occurs even with a small amount of urine in the bladder. Sometimes it leads to incontinence. The cause of the syndrome is a pathology in the transmission of nerve impulses.

Diseases in women

Violation of the functions of the bladder in women is largely due to the proximity of the organ to the reproductive system. The range of diseases here is greatly expanded. So, microbes and viruses from the genitals easily pass into the urethra, and from there into the bladder itself.

Except common pathologies In particular, endometriosis is quite common in women. It develops in the uterus or ovaries and spreads to the urinary system. The main symptoms include pain during urination, frequent urges go to the toilet, heaviness in the lower abdomen, which becomes worse during menstruation.

A common disease is also cystitis. It is an inflammation of the urinary system and is accompanied by pain in the bladder, frequent urination or incontinence, cloudy urine, and sometimes fever.

Prevention

It is quite difficult to completely protect yourself from all diseases. But a number simple actions will serve as a good prevention, so as not to expose yourself to trouble once again. In order not to disrupt the function of the bladder, first of all, do not overcool the legs and pelvic organs.

When playing sports, you can include exercises that increase blood circulation in the pelvis and thus activate the work of all its organs.

To maintain your health, you should consult a doctor in time for discomfort and pain. Even if they are not available, they should be checked at least once a year. Excellent prevention of many diseases is good dream, rest, balanced diet and established rhythm of life.

The urinary bladder (MP) is made up of smooth muscle(detrusor) and mucous membrane. As it fills, the organ is able to stretch and expand. Fluid in the bladder is expelled from the body through the urethra. In the normal state, the hole urethra stays closed due to muscle work pelvic floor.

Fine

How does the urge to urinate. The detrusor of the bladder is in a relaxed state most of the time and maintains low pressure inside the organ. As the fluid enters it, the walls of the MP stretch, and the pressure increases. When the bladder is filled to about half its maximum capacity, the nerve endings send impulses to the brain. As a result, an adult is aware of the need to urinate. At the same time, the muscles of the pelvic floor and urethra come into tone, which allows you to postpone going to the toilet for a while.

How is urination carried out? When the bladder empties, the brain sends a feedback signal to the bladder muscles, which contract and expel the fluid. At the same moment, the muscles of the pelvic floor and urethra relax, as a result, the lumen of the urethra opens, through which the fluid is discharged.

With hyperactivity

When the first urge to urinate appears, most adults can hold back from emptying their bladder for a while - until it becomes possible to visit the toilet. However, in some cases, the nerve endings in the MP send incorrect signals to the brain, interpreted as an overflow. this body. However, in reality, the bubble may be filled to less than half its volume. In this case, the organ contracts too early, and the person is forced to visit the toilet frequently. When the bladder is overactive, the urge to urinate is so strong that it is very difficult to keep from emptying it.

Urine, constantly filtered by the kidneys from the blood plasma, flows down the ureters into the bladder. Here it accumulates up to a certain volume and then is excreted through the urethra from the body. The process of urination, or micturition, is a complex of complex and sequential actions that the body performs together with the urethra up to 10 times a day, under control spinal nerves and the cerebral cortex. Let us consider in more detail how this happens, where the bladder is located, whether there are differences in its structure and functions in men, women and children. different ages, what is the view of his activities in oriental medicine.

How does the bladder work

This unpaired spherical organ is designed to serve as an excellent container for urine flowing through the ureters. It can stretch and increase its volume if necessary, but up to certain values. Depending on what kind of person has height and weight, the size of the organ also differs. The average bladder capacity is 500-700 ml, but there are significant individual variations.

Thus, the volume of the bladder in men is slightly larger than in women and children, and varies from 350 to 750 ml. female organ holds 250-550 ml of urine; the norm of volume in children, given their constant growth, also gradually increases. So, at the age of one year it is 50 ml, at 3 years old - 100 ml, and at 11-14 years old it can reach up to 400 ml. In some conditions, when it is impossible to empty the bladder in time, its walls stretch significantly, and the capacity in adulthood reaches 1000 ml (1 liter) of urine.

The organ size is individual characteristics in gender or age aspect, but it can also be influenced by various pathological or physiological states. For example, some diseases or degenerative processes.

All these factors can be represented as follows:

• surgical correction that reduces the size of the organ;
• long-term chronic diseases leading to "wrinkling";
• neoplasms that reduce the volume of internal space;
• influence from others internal organs(for example, squeezing the bladder in women with a growing uterus during pregnancy);
• neurological diseases;
• degenerative-dystrophic processes in old age, leading to loss of normal tone of the detrusor or sphincters.

The brain is actively involved in urination

The inner surface of the body has special baroreceptors that respond to an increase in pressure in it. As soon as approximately 200 ml of urine accumulates, the pressure in the cavity increases, and signals about this go to the cerebral cortex, to those parts of it that are responsible for the act of urination. From this point on, a feeling of urge is formed, and the person knows that he will soon need to go to the toilet.

As urine accumulates, the urge to urinate increases, but the sphincter of the bladder is in a compressed state, preventing involuntary leakage of fluid. With the help of the sphincters of the organ and the urethra, a person can retain urine from 2 to 5 hours. The micturition process itself is regulated both by the cerebral cortex and by nerve branches extending from spinal cord, and occurs as a result of contraction of the muscle layer and relaxation of the sphincters.

In children, the process of formation normal process urination is quite long and takes 3-4 years (although, if parents try, you can teach a child to ask for a potty even at 1.5-2 years). From an unconditioned spinal reflex, it becomes an arbitrarily reflex. This involves the cerebral cortex, subcortical centers, spinal zones (sections of the spinal cord), and the peripheral nervous system.

There are many different congenital and acquired diseases in which the process of urination is disturbed. The reasons may lie in organic, or somatic, pathologies of the organ that affect the normal structure of tissues ( infectious diseases, neoplasms, the impact of neighboring organs) or in violation of nervous regulation.

Structure

The anatomy of the bladder includes its localization in the human body, interaction with surrounding structures, macroscopic (conditional division into parts) and microscopic structure(from what fabrics). This organ looks like a small rounded sac, and is located in the pelvic cavity. If it is in an empty state, it occupies a small volume and is completely hidden by the pubic articulation. To that bone formation it adjoins its front surface. As it fills up, its size also increases, the walls of the organ straighten out, and it gradually begins to rise above the pubic joint. In this state, it can be palpated (palpated) during a medical examination, ultrasound scan, perform a puncture through the anterior abdominal wall.

The walls of the organ can be affected various diseases, and the urethra - to be squeezed by increased prostate

The posterior surface of the bladder in women is in contact with the organs reproductive system: vagina, uterus and ovaries. Further behind is the final segment of the intestine, the rectum. The urinary bladder in men is separated from the intestines by seminal vesicles and a segment of the vas deferens. The upper part of the organ is bordered by loops small intestine. In newborn babies, it is higher than in adults, above the pubic joint. Only after a few months the tip is hidden behind the bone formation.

The human bladder can be divided into several components:

• walls - front, side, back;
• body;
• bladder neck.

The anterior wall of the organ borders on the anterior abdominal wall and the pubic articulation, separated from them by a layer of loose adipose tissue, which fills the prevesical space. The back and side walls are also separated from neighboring structures by fiber and the visceral sheet of the peritoneum (a special tissue layer covering all organs). The upper part of the body is more mobile and able to stretch significantly, since it is not fixed ligamentous apparatus. With high tension, the wall thickness can be only 2-3 mm, with empty organ it goes up to 15 mm.

On back wall , in its middle part, the bubble has two holes. These are the mouths of the ureters, symmetrically located, and they flow into the organ cavity at a certain angle. This fact is extremely important, since this forms a kind of "closing" mechanism that prevents the ingress of urine during detrusor contraction and urination back into the ureters. If this mechanism is violated, vesicoureteral reflux is formed, which can be called both an independent disease and a complication of other pathologies of the urinary system.

The oblique confluence of the ureters is very important for the formation of a special valvular mechanism.

Top part hollow organ conditionally divided into top and bottom. The bottom part is at the back and faces down, and the top is directed towards the front. abdominal wall and passes into the umbilical cord. The bottom of the bladder, when filled with urine, rises above the pubic joint, so the tip begins to fit snugly against the anterior abdominal wall. Between the bottom and the top is the body of the organ.

The lower part gradually narrows and forms the neck of the bladder, which, through the sphincter apparatus, passes into the urethra. At the man top part the urethra and the neck of the bladder are covered by the tissue of the prostate gland, which, when developing in it pathological processes, has a huge impact on the process of urination. The bladder in women in its lower part borders directly on the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm.

The wall of the organ is three-layered and consists of the following structures:

• mucous membrane and submucosal layer;
• detrusor, or muscle layer;
• outer shell covered by the visceral layer of the peritoneum.

At histological examination(study of tissues under a microscope) it is found that the mucous membrane consists of an outer epithelial layer and a submucosal plate located under it, formed by a loose connective tissue. It is thanks to the submucosal layer that, with an unfilled cavity, the mucous membrane forms a large number of folds, which straighten out when the organ is stretched. But the submucosal layer is not present everywhere. It is absent in the region of the so-called bladder triangle, the tops of which are the openings of the ureters and the mouth of the urethra. In this zone, the mucous membrane is adjacent directly to the muscle layer.

The urothelium, or epithelial layer of the mucous membrane, has several rows of cells. Each of them performs a specific task. So, the outermost layer consists of rounded cells, which, when stretched, the walls of the organ become flat, thereby ensuring the integrity of the structure.

The transitional epithelium of the mucosa consists of several rows of cells various shapes and appointments

The muscle layer is made of three types of fibers, the functionality of which ensures the operation of the entire organ: longitudinal, transverse, circular. Circular muscle fibers are especially developed around the ureters flowing into the organ and the mouth of the urethra. In these places they form muscular sphincters, or sphincters. With cystoscopy, on the obtained photo of the bladder from the inside, the ureteral sphincters look like small depressions, and the more developed sphincter in the lower part of the organ looks like a crescent-shaped platform with a pink tint.

Functions

The most important task of the body is to accumulate a certain amount of urine, keep it for a certain time and regularly remove it from the body. These tasks are performed in the prescribed mode, if the mucous membrane is not affected by inflammatory or tumor process, the size of the organ is within the normal range, and all the sphincters and detrusor, regulated by the nervous system, function like a "clock".

As soon as there is a violation of even one of these mechanisms, the functionality of the organ is disturbed, which is expressed by various dysuric symptoms. So, with a neurogenic disorder, the normal regulation of the muscle layer and sphincters from the nervous system “breaks down”. It occurs with congenital or acquired neurological diseases, and at the same time, hypo- or hyperreflexia is diagnosed, which is expressed either by incontinence or urinary retention (when the patient cannot urinate regularly). In another pathology, vesicoureteral reflux, which is formed in the absence or underdevelopment of the valvular and sphincter mechanisms of the ureters, there is a reverse flow of urine. This may lead to undesirable consequences in the form of pyelonephritis and other kidney diseases.

Specialists oriental medicine a completely different perspective on health and disease

What is the urinary meridian and canal

From the point of view of oriental medicine, each internal human organ has special channels, or meridians, through which it receives energy. These meridians, including the bladder canal, intertwine and connect with each other, exit one from the other, forming a single whole. It is the interaction of the channels of the internal organs and the energy flow flowing through them that explains both the health of people and all of them. possible diseases.

The meridian of the bladder not only regulates the formation of urine in the kidneys, its accumulation and removal during urination, it is through it that all toxins and toxins are removed from the body. It is quite long and branched, due to which it can influence the activities of other organs. The bladder canal starts from the eyes, passes through parietal part head, then between the shoulder blades runs along the spine and at the sacrum enters the inside of the body, reaching the kidneys and ending in a hollow organ. Its branches cover the head, body, descend to the feet.

This meridian is paired and symmetrical, belongs to the Yang type; energy moves along it in a centrifugal direction. If it is excessive, then the following signs: pain in the abdomen and back, frequent urination, spasmodic contraction calf muscles, eye pain, lacrimation, maybe nose bleed. With a lack of urination energy, urination becomes rare, swelling, pain in the spine, weakness in the legs, and hemorrhoids appear.

The minimum energy activity of the channel is observed at night, between 3 and 5 o'clock, at this time it is not allowed to influence the meridian. Most convenient time for influencing the channel, this is the interval between 15 and 17 hours. It was then that the specialists of oriental medicine seek to treat the patient by influencing the organs through the meridian of the bladder.

According to statistics, 17% of women and 16% of men suffer from bladder disease, but only 4% seek help from a specialist. Many simply do not realize that they have some kind of health problem. So how do you recognize the presence of bladder disease? First of all, it is necessary to clarify what is meant by this term.

What does an overactive bladder (OUB) mean?

The bladder is an organ made up entirely of muscle tissue. Its task is the accumulation and excretion of urine through the urethra. It should be noted that the location, shape and size of the body vary depending on its content. Where is the bladder located? The filled organ has an ovoid shape and is located above the transitional connection between the bones of the skeleton (symphysis), adjacent to the abdominal wall, shifting the peritoneum upward. The empty bladder lies completely in the pelvic cavity.

GPM is clinical syndrome, in which there are frequent, unexpected and difficult to suppress the urge to urinate (they can be both at night and at daytime). The word "hyperactive" means that the muscles of the bladder work (contract) in an enhanced mode with a small amount of urine. This provokes frequent intolerable urges in the patient. Thus, the patient develops a false feeling that he constantly has a full bladder.

Development of the disease

Excessive activity of the bladder is caused by a decrease in the number of M-cholinergic receptors. Their number changes under the influence of various reasons. In response to the lack of nervous regulation in the smooth muscle tissues of the organ, structural formations close relationships between neighboring cells. The result of this process is a sharp increase in conductivity nerve impulse in the muscular layer of the bladder. Smooth muscle cells have a high spontaneous activity and begin to respond to a minor stimulus (a small amount of urine). Their reduction quickly spreads to the rest of the cell groups of the body, causing the syndrome of GPM (overactive bladder).

Factors of occurrence of GPM

1. Neurogenic:

Diseases of the central and peripheral nervous systems (for example, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease);

Stroke;

Multiple sclerosis;

Osteochondrosis;

Diabetes;

spinal cord injury;

Schmorl's hernia;

Consequences of surgical treatment of the spine;

Spondylarthrosis of the spine;

intoxication;

Myelomeningocele.

2. Non-neurogenic:

BPH;

Age;

Anatomical disorders of the vesicourethral region;

Sensory disturbances, mainly associated with a lack of estrogen in fasting menopause.

Forms of the disease

In medicine, two forms of GLM disease are distinguished:

Idiopathic GPM - the disease is caused by a change in the contractile activity of the bladder, the cause of the violations is unclear;

Neurogenic bladder - disorders contractile function organs are characteristic of diseases of the nervous system.

Characteristic symptoms

An overactive bladder is defined by the following symptoms:

Frequent urge to urinate, while urine is excreted in a small amount;

Inability to hold urine - sudden urge to urinate of such strength that the patient does not have time to endure to the toilet;

Multiple nocturnal urination (a healthy person should not urinate at night);

Urinary incontinence is the uncontrolled leakage of urine.

GPM in women

An overactive bladder in women most often develops during pregnancy and in old age. During pregnancy, the body undergoes great changes and experiences a great load, which is associated with an increasing uterus. Frequent urination during this period causes considerable discomfort. expectant mother, but a woman should not be embarrassed to tell her doctor about it. Today there is wide choose drugs for this problem, which will not harm either the mother or the baby. Self-medication in this case is strictly prohibited. How to treat the bladder during pregnancy, the doctor will tell you.

In old age, GPM occurs along with the advent of menopause. It has to do with changes hormonal background women, lack of vitamins and minerals, the appearance nervous disorders during this period, etc. In this situation, a woman should also seek help from a doctor. At proper treatment distressing symptoms diseases will disappear after a few weeks.

GPM in men

Bladder problems are also common among men. If there are no diseases of the nervous system, then the most common cause GPM are pathologies of the prostate gland. An enlarged prostate puts pressure on the walls of the bladder. This pathology common among middle-aged and older men. If GPM was the result of prostate disease, then the treatment should be comprehensive. Frequent urination is a completely solvable problem. But for this, when the first symptoms of the disease appear, a man needs to consult a specialist.

GPM in children

Frequent urination in children is much more common than in adults. This is due to the special structure of the bladder and the active functioning of the kidneys in early age. But if a baby under 3 years old has not learned to control urination, then it must be shown to a doctor. To correct urination in children, there are special preparations intended for young patients.

Most often, uncontrolled urination in children is a consequence of fright. In this case, the disorder will be treated in combination with correction. psychological state child. Parents should not write off uncontrolled frequent urination in a child for age. If the disorder is not treated, the disease will bring the baby a lot of discomfort in the future.

Diagnostics

1. Taking an anamnesis (the doctor records the patient's complaints).

2. Analysis of existing health problems (presence of chronic diseases, surgical interventions, etc.).

3. General analysis blood.

4. Biochemical analysis blood.

5. General analysis of urine.

6. Urinalysis according to Nechiporenko.

7. Urinalysis according to Zimnitsky.

8. Urine culture for bacterial and fungal microflora.

9. Ultrasound of the bladder.

10. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging).

11. Cystourethroscopy.

12. X-ray examination.

13. KUDI (complex urodynamic study).

14. Consultation of a neurologist.

15. Neurological examination for the diagnosis of diseases of the spinal cord and brain.

Overactive Bladder: Treatment

The following methods are used to treat GPM:

1. Medical therapy(antimuscarinic drugs that have and regulate the effect on the bladder, etc.). Conservative treatment occupies a leading position in the treatment of GPM. Patients are assigned:

M-cholinergic blockers, adrenoblockers that reduce efferent impulses;

Antidepressants (calm nervous system and thereby improve urinary control).

Toxic substances (decrease the sensitivity of the nerve endings of the bladder), for example, butolotoxin is administered intravesically;

Antidiuretic hormone preparations (cause a decrease in urination).

Women often experience an overactive bladder during menopause. Treatment in this case is to take hormonal drugs.

2. Non-drug treatment.

Behavioral therapy consists in the formation of a urination regimen, lifestyle correction. During the treatment period, the patient must observe the daily regimen, avoid stressful situations, make daily hiking on fresh air, watch your diet. People suffering from GLM should not eat spicy dishes, carbonated and caffeinated drinks (tea, coffee, cola), chocolate, sugar substitutes and alcohol.

In addition, during the period of behavioral therapy, the patient needs to empty the bladder according to a certain schedule (depending on the frequency of urination). This method helps to exercise the muscles of the bladder and regain control over the urge to urinate.

Physiotherapy may consist of electrical stimulation, electrophoresis, etc.

Exercise therapy - a variety of exercises aimed at strengthening pelvic muscles.

Treatment is based on biofeedback. The patient with the help of special devices (special sensors are installed that are inserted into the body of the bladder and rectum; the sensors are also connected to the monitor, it displays the volume of the bladder and fixes it contractile activity) observes at what volume of fluid the bladder contracts. At this time, the patient must, by volitional efforts, by means of contraction of the pelvic muscles, suppress the urge and restrain the desire to urinate.

3. Surgery used only in severe cases (denervation of the bladder, intestinal plastic to divert urine into the intestine, stimulation of the sacral nerve).

Complications of GPM

An overactive bladder impairs the patient's quality of life. The patient develops mental disorders: depression, sleep disorders, constant anxiety. Social maladaptation also occurs - a person partially or completely loses the ability to adapt to conditions environment.

Prevention

1. Visiting a urologist for the purpose preventive examination once a year (delivery necessary analyzes, conducting an ultrasound of the bladder if necessary, etc.).

2. There is no need to postpone a visit to the doctor if symptoms of urination disorders appear.

3. It is important to pay attention to the frequency of urination, the development of urge, the quality of the stream, if there are neurological diseases.

Also, as a preventive measure, you can perform Kegel exercises that will help strengthen the muscles of the bladder.

1. First you need to tighten the muscles, as when holding urination, slowly count to three and relax.

2. Then tighten and relax the muscles - it is important to try to do it as quickly as possible.

3. Women need to push down (as in childbirth or stool, but not as hard); men to push, as in stool or urination.

Frequent urination has a very negative impact on all areas of life. To avoid development psychological problems, it is necessary to seek help from a specialist in time.

The bladder is one of the organs of the human urinary system. Inflammatory processes often occur in the bladder various etiologies. In order to timely detect and start effective treatment diseases, you need to know where the organ is located, what are its main functions and what pathologies can cover the bladder.

The bladder is considered an unpaired organ located in the pelvis in the lower abdomen, right behind the pubic bone. In the male and female half, the organ is arranged almost the same, there are only small features in its structure. The body has a very elastic structure due to which, when filled with urine, the bladder tends to stretch.

The bladder is made up of:

• body- the main widest part of the bubble. It stretches well, thanks to the elastic fibers and the folded structure of the mucous membrane;
• tops- having a pointed shape and adjacent to the anterior wall of the abdomen. The apex can be felt if the bladder is completely filled with urine;
• necks- lying between the urethra and the bottom of the organ. In appearance, the neck of the bubble resembles a funnel;
• bottom- a wide flat part, located below and facing the rectum.

The bladder is made up of muscle tissue appearance it looks like a bag. It connects to the kidneys with the help of two tubes (ureters), through which urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder. Urine is excreted through the urethra (a hollow tube attached to the bottom of the organ). With the help of fibrous cords, the bubble is fixed on the wall of the small pelvis and to neighboring organs.

In newborn babies, the bladder is located in abdominal cavity, only by the 4th month of life the organ descends to its permanent place in the small pelvis.

Structure

The bladder consists of posterior, anterior and lateral walls, which have several layers:

1. Mucous (inner) layer or urothelium. In an empty organ, this layer is folded. In the case of filling the bladder with urine, the folds begin to straighten out, and epithelial cells stretch out. Slime layer produces a substance - glycocalyx, which protects inner surface body from various bacteria, urine.
2. submucosal layer. It is represented by connective tissue fibers through which vessels and nerve endings pass.
3. Muscular layer or detrusor. Consists of several layers (outer, inner and middle). Due to the reduction of this shell, the organ is able to empty itself.
4. adventitious sheath. It contains nerve endings and venous plexuses.

In addition, the organ has 2 sphincters, which are an important part of the bladder. The first sphincter is called arbitrary. It consists of smooth muscles and is located at the beginning of the urethra. The second sphincter is involuntary, consists of striated muscles and is located in the middle of the urethra. Sphincters are considered a kind of "lockers", thanks to them, urine does not spontaneously leave the body. When urine is excreted from the organ, the muscle layer of the sphincters relaxes, and the bladder, on the contrary, tenses.

The capacity of the adult bladder is up to 500, and sometimes up to 700 ml of fluid. In newborn babies, the organ can hold up to 80 ml of urine, and in children from 5 to 12 years old, about 180 ml.

Differences between the male bladder and the female:

1. In the female half of humanity, the bladder has a slightly elongated shape, in the male it is more round.
2. In the stronger sex, the bladder is adjacent to the prostate gland, the seminal ducts are adjacent to the sides of the organ. The length of the urethra or urethra varies from 20 to 40 cm, the width is about 7 - 8 mm.
3. In women, the bladder is located near the uterus and vagina. The length of the female urethra is significantly different from the male and is about 4 cm.
4. The urethra of women is several times wider than that of men, its dimensions are up to 1.5 cm. It is because of this feature of the short and wide urethra that the beautiful half suffers from urinary tract infections more often.

During pregnancy, a woman's uterus rapidly increases in volume and begins to put pressure on the bladder. Often, pregnant women face such a problem as squeezing the ureters, because of which there is a violation of the normal excretion of urine from the body and various infections occur.

Functions

The bladder has 2 functions:

• it accumulates urine (reservoir function);
• takes her out of human body(evacuation function).

Urine enters the organ cavity through the ureters approximately every 25 to 30 seconds. The time of entry and the amount of excreted urine depends on various factors: how much liquid a person drinks, the nature of drinks, temperature regime environment, stressful situations.

The process of urine separation occurs during contractions of the bladder as a result of stretching of the walls and irritation of the nerve endings. With the help of a bubble, the human body is freed from waste products.

Bladder diseases

Absolutely healthy person the process of urine excretion is completely painless, without any disturbances. Entered into the body pathogenic bacteria cause inflammatory processes, as a result of which the patient's urinary function is disturbed, pains, cramps are felt, blood clots in urine can be observed. The main diseases most often associated with bladder This:

Inflammatory process in the bladder. Pathogenic microflora can enter the organ from the intestines or from the external genitalia. Favorable environment for the occurrence of cystitis are considered congestion in the pelvic area and sedentary image life.

A patient with cystitis observes such symptoms as: painful and frequent urination, the allocation of small portions of urine, fever, burning in the lower abdomen, the presence of blood in the urine.

• Atony

The bladder with such a disease is always filled to the maximum, the urine leaves in small drops (normally, a healthy bladder releases urine in certain portions). The disease is mainly formed after an injury received in the back area, sometimes atony develops as a complication after past illness such as syphilis.

The disease is also known under another name - urolithiasis. Sand and stones can occur at any age, sometimes even in newborn babies. The causes of urolithiasis are quite extensive:

1. heredity;
2. chronic diseases of the urinary and digestive systems;
3. severe dehydration;
4. disturbed metabolism;
5. insufficient intake of vitamin D;
6. abuse of spicy, smoked salty and sour foods;
7. dysfunction of the parathyroid gland;
8. hot and dry climate.

A person begins to be disturbed by pain in the lower abdomen, urination becomes frequent, painful, sometimes with an admixture of blood. Body temperature may rise slightly high blood pressure. Urine is cloudy in most cases.

• polyps

Growths form on the mucous membrane of the bladder. As a rule, polyps are small, but sometimes they can reach a length of several centimeters. The disease does not bring visible discomfort to a person, the symptoms are mostly absent. IN rare cases due to polyps, there is blood in the urine.

• Tuberculosis of the bladder

If a person is sick with pulmonary tuberculosis, the causative agent of the disease, as a rule, is carried with the blood and to the genitourinary organs. On initial stage symptoms of the disease may be absent altogether, however, with the development of the inflammatory process, the patient notes the following symptoms:

1. painful frequent urination (up to 20 times a day);
2. an admixture of blood in urine;
3. pain in lower region back (due to kidney tuberculosis);
4. spontaneous urination;
5. renal colic;
6. cloudy urine, in some cases with an admixture of pus.

It is formed on the walls inside the bubble, mainly in its upper part. The ulcer is surrounded by hyperemic tissues, has round shape and secretes some blood with pus. The symptoms of an ulcer resemble those of chronic cystitis: frequent urination, pain in the groin. In women, the ulcer worsens before the onset of the menstrual cycle.

• Tumors in the bladder

Neoplasms in the body are both benign and can also be malignant. The reasons for the formation of tumors are not fully understood:

1. TO malignant neoplasms include carcinoma, lymphoma, adenocarcinoma, etc.
2. To benign - adenoma, pheochromocytoma, papilloma.
3. In most cases, the tumors do not manifest themselves in any way and the patient may not suspect that something is growing in the bladder. In the final stages of cancer in the urine is found large cluster blood.

• overactive bladder

The disease can be diagnosed in anyone age category but it often affects the elderly.

Risk factors are:

1. obesity;
2. passion for sweet carbonated drinks;
3. smoking;
4. frequent coffee consumption.

Symptoms of the disease: urination processes more than 8 times a day, urinary incontinence. When urging to go to the toilet, a person suffering from an overactive bladder cannot hold urine.

• Bladder sclerosis

It affects the neck of the organ, because of which it forms connective fibers as well as scars. The cause of sclerosis is inflammatory process flowing in the body. Very often, sclerosis is a complication after surgical intervention, for example, as a result of the removal of prostate adenoma in men. A symptom of the disease is a violation of the function of excretion of urine, sometimes until it is completely delayed.

• Leukoplakia

The mucous layer of the bladder changes, its epithelial cells have a rigid or horny structure. The disease can occur due to the presence of stones, chronic cystitis, as well as chemical or physical impact on the mucosa of the body. A sick person experiences discomfort in the lower abdomen, painful urination.

The bladder is important body human body. In its absence, life activity is almost impossible. That is why it is necessary to carefully treat your health and protect urinary organs. For exclusion serious illnesses, For example, cancerous tumors You need to have your bladder checked regularly.

You can also learn about the bladder from this video.