Causes of bladder problems

The condition can affect all ages, male and female, but can increase in old age. Some causes of bladder problems include:

• Not drinking enough fluid
• Drinking too much caffeine in drinks
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
• Constipation
• Some medicines, alternative medicines or herbal remedies may affect your bladder function such as diuretics (water tablets), sedatives, anti-depressants and soma(?) analgesics. These may make you go to the toilet more often and mat lead to constipation.
• During pregnancy and in childbirth the pelvic floor muscles can be weakened. There can also be problems following the menopause.
• Following some types of surgery e.g. prostate
• Being overweight
• Smoking
• Neurological conditions e.g. multiple sclerosis, stroke, or dementia. These can all cause problems dependant on the severity of the disease.
• Diabetes
• People with poor mobility or dexterity problems. This may mean that it takes them longer to go to the toilet or getting undressed.

What is a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?

A UTI occurs when bacteria enters the urinary tract and multiplies. An infection occurs when micro-organisms, often bacteria from your back passage, cling to the opening of the urethra and begin to multiply.

UTI's are more common in women than in men as bacteria are able to travel along the shorter female urethra.