| Introduction | The healthy bladder | What can go wrong | Stress | Urge | Mixed |
| Overflow | Night time | Prostate | Pelvic floor | Bowel |
The Healthy Bladder
How the Healthy Bladder Works 
Our kidneys produce urine continuously, day and night. It contains waste products and surplus water from the body. A steady trickle passes down the ureters - tubes from the kidneys to the bladder, as shown in the diagram. On average, we produce about two to three pints (around 1˝ litres) every 24 hours, varying with the amount we eat and drink and how much we perspire.
As the bladder fills, it expands gently, like a floppy balloon. The outlet valve (the sphincter) is closed, and the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor support the bladder (and also the bowels and - in women - the uterus or womb), and so help keep the outlet tube (the urethra) closed.
Our brains subconsciously monitor how full the bladder is. Eventually we begin to feel the need to empty it - well before it is actually full - and we can look out for the right opportunity. The amount our bladders can hold depends (among other things) on how we have ‘trained’ them - from infancy onwards - but most of us need to empty our bladders from 4 to 8 times a day.
When we pass water, the sphincter muscle relaxes, opening the outlet from the bladder, and at the same time the muscles in the wall of the bladder, instead of relaxing to let it expand, contract strongly and squeeze the urine out. Then the process starts all over again.
You can help keep your bladder healthy by following some simple rules.
What can go wrong with the Urinary System?
Healthy Bladder Habits
To keep your bladder healthy, follow a few simple rules:
Drink enough liquid: 3-4 pints - about 2 litres - per day, more in hot weather or if you have been exercising. If your problem is having to get up at night, cut down on how much you drink in the evening - but not overall.
Relax! Don’t strain to empty your bladder or bowel. Women should sit down on the toilet, not ‘hover’ above it.
If your bladder is giving you problems, cut down on alcohol and beverages containing caffeine (tea, coffee and many fizzy drinks), which may make the difficulty worse. If you often suffer from cystitis (urine infections), try drinking cranberry juice, which has been proved to prevent these attacks.
Never go to the toilet ‘just in case’. Go only when you really need to. But try to keep bowel movements regular and avoid constipation.
Know when you should get help. If you leak, feel pain when you empty your bladder, or find blood in your urine, see your doctor or nurse.
Following these tips should help to prevent future problems with your bladder.
What can go wrong with the Urinary System?
Common Questions and Answers
| Q | How often should I pass urine? |
| A | Anything between 4 and 8 times in 24 hours is normal. Most people empty their bladder about every 3-4 hours during waking hours. |
| Q | Is it usual to need the toilet during the night? |
| A | Getting up once a night to empty the bladder is not unusual. If your bladder wakes you more than twice, it may be wise to see your doctor as a precaution. |
| Q | I sometimes leak when I cough, laugh or take exercise. Can something be done about this? |
| A | This is the most common type of incontinence in women, but with professional care it can always be improved and usually cured. It is called "stress incontinence". |
| Q | A friend of mine often gets a sudden urge to go to the toilet but can’t always reach one in time. |
| A | Sudden urge is the characteristic of urge incontinence. It too can normally be cured and certainly improved. There are other types too |
| Q | Where I go for help? |
| A | Your family doctor, practice nurse or health visitor can all help. Or you can call or Email our confidential Helpline (0845 345 0165) and we can tell you where to find the local NHS continence specialist service, so that you can get in touch with them direct . |