It is not uncommon for those of us with Cerebral Palsy to have bladder problems, but it’s also not uncommon for others to have bladder problems either, particularly as they age.
It is the kidney’s job to filter waste and water from the blood. The kidneys then excrete urine through the urethra to the bladder, then the bladder stores the urine until we urinate. It's important to keep the bladder free of infection and functioning normally.
Highlighted below are some of the problems that can contribute to bladder problems. I have also highlighted some of the things we can do to avoid these problems.
- Maintaining a healthy weight, helps keep the bladder functioning normally. The bladder is put under enormous pressure when we’re overweight;
- Caffeine and spicy foods can act as an irritant to the urinary tract; which can affect the bladder. Drinks such as tea and coffee, which both contain caffeine, can also irritate the bladder. Beer and soda are also considered poor choices;
- Cranberry juice keeps the bladder healthy and is used to help prevent urinary tract infections;
- Pelvic floor exercises can help increase control of the bladder’s sphincter. The Exercise itself is easy and can be done by restricting the pelvic floor muscles, by trying to prevent urination. The process can be repeated daily and can be done by both men and women;
- Problems with constipation can affect the bladder too. A regular consumption of both fibre and fluids will help keep the bladder functioning normally.
There is another factor that should be taken into consideration. Women who have babies are more susceptible to weak bladders; ageing is also another common factor. Incontinence in men can be brought about through prostate problems and can be controlled through various medications.
My Mother use to have kidney and bladder infections.
Due to illness my friend Pat had complete kidney failure which meant she had to go on a machine to filter the bad stuff out of her body. Too bad she was a great person.
I am sure she was. Sorry to hear your mother had kidney and bladder infections. I tend to get urinary tract infections and am on cranberry supplements for those.
They work very well.
I used to work for a Urologist for 9 years so I know all about bladder problems. I agree with everything you have posted, especially about tea and caffeine.
That is a major contributor to cystitis symptoms and problems. Here in the South we're known for kidney stones due to the large amount of sweet iced tea we drink.
I think kids are raised up drinking the stuff... and in the heat, people don't drink enough water in the summer and that can cause kidney and bladder stones.
Ditto. We have sweet iced tea but not in vast amounts, but I do think we probably tend to drink more coffee than you would. I don't drink either, but have water infections from other problems I have.