Your bladder plays a key role in your urinary system, but it’s not something we often think about – until something goes wrong.
Whether you’re having more frequent trips to the bathroom or just want to understand more about how your body works, here’s a simple guide to understanding your bladder, what it does, and when it might be time to seek medical advice!
What Is The Bladder?
The urinary bladder is a hollow, spherical-shaped organ that holds urine.
Think of it as your body’s storage tank for waste fluid – expanding and contracting as needed.
For most people, it can hold up to 500-700ml of pee; about two cups!
What Does The Bladder Do?
The bladders main function is to hold urine.
Your kidneys filter your blood and remove materials like salt, water, toxins and other waste products through your pee.
As your bladder fills, it expands like a balloon! When it’s all let out, the bladder shrinks back down.
When it fills with around 300ml of pee, nerves in your bladder send a message to your brain telling you to use the toilet.
Common Bladder Issues
- Bladder cancer
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Cystisis (bladder inflammation)
- Overactive bladder
- Urinary incontinence (leakage)
- Bladder stones
When Should You Seek Help?
It’s important not to ignore bladder symptoms. It might be time to book an appointment if you notice:
- Burning or pain during urination
- Needing to urinate more often or urgently
- Difficulty emptying your bladder
- Blood in your urine
- Strong– or foul-smelling pee
How Can An Ultrasound Help?
A Bladder Ultrasound at firstScanHealth is a non-invasive scan designed to assess the health of your bladder and can provide valuable insights into the cause of any symptoms you’re experiencing.
Understanding your bladder is the first step in taking care of it. Don’t wait for symptoms to get worse — early checks and non-invasive scans can help identify problems before they become serious.
Take charge of your bladder health today!