Your Bladder May Be Telling You Something About Your Health

You may not realize it, but your bladder offers a window into your overall health. And any changes in your bladder habits are something to bring up with your primary care provider.

Here are some signs to look for and what they might mean for your health.

Burning sensation when you urinate:
This may mean you have a urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs are common in older adults and can be caused by dehydration, high blood sugar or other factors. Visit your health care provider if you notice a burning sensation. Left untreated, a UTI can spread to your kidneys.

Leaking urine:
Known as urinary incontinence, leakage can be caused by UTIs, excessive caffeine or alcohol intake, constipation, being overweight, aging, or diseases like multiple sclerosis, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Solutions are available and may include lifestyle changes, pelvic floor exercises or other treatments.

Urinating often:
Frequent trips to the bathroom could mean you drink a lot of fluids, use diuretics, are overdoing the caffeine or have a UTI. It could also signal a more serious issue, like diabetes or complications of sickle cell anemia (a genetic disorder), interstitial cystitis, pelvic organ prolapse in women, or an enlarged prostate in men. Tell your doctor if you urinate more than 8 to 10 times a day.

Pink, red or brown urine:
Ideally, urine should- be light yellow. If your urine is pink or reddish, there’s likely blood in your urine. This could be a sign of infection, kidney stones, tumors or bladder cancer. Brown or dark yellow urine may indicate dehydration.

Difficulty urinating:
If you rarely feel the need to urinate, suddenly can’t urinate or have trouble emptying your bladder, you may have urinary retention. This condition requires immediate attention and can be caused by cancers, tumors, bladder stones or diabetic neuropathy.