The bladder is a hollow organ in your lower abdomen that stores urine. Many conditions can affect bladder function. Some common ones are
- Infection - a urinary tract infection in the bladder is also known as cystitis
- Urinary incontinence - loss of bladder control
- Interstitial cystitis - a chronic problem in which the bladder wall can become inflamed and irritated, leading to frequent, painful urination
- Bladder cancer - the sixth most common cancer in the United States
Doctors diagnose bladder diseases using different tests. These include urine tests, x-rays and examination of the bladder wall with a scope called a cystoscope. Treatment varies depending on the cause of the problem. It may include medicines and, in severe cases, surgery.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Your Urinary System and How It Works(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/yoururinary/
- Blood in Urine (Hematuria)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/blood-in-urine/DS01013/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
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Cystoscopy - Men(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/cystoscopymale/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/cystoscopymalespanish/htm/index.htm
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Cystoscopy - Women(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/cystoscopyfemale/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/cystoscopyfemalespanish/htm/index.htm
- Cystoscopy and Ureteroscopy(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/cystoscopy/
- Frequent Urination(DSHI Systems) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.freemd.com/urinary-frequency/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
- Hematuria (Blood in the Urine)(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/hematuria/
- Imaging of the Urinary Tract(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/imagingut/
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Intravenous Pyelogram(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/ivp/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/ivpspanish/htm/index.htm
- Pain During Urination(DSHI Systems) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.freemd.com/pain-during-urination/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
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Radiography-Intravenous Pyelogram(American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America) - http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=ivp
Also available in Spanish http://www.radiologyinfo.org/sp/info.cfm?pg=ivp
- Radionuclide Cystogram(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=05&topic=281
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Ultrasound - Pelvis(American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America) - http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=pelvus
Also available in Spanish http://www.radiologyinfo.org/sp/info.cfm?pg=pelvus
- Urinalysis(American Association for Clinical Chemistry) - http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/urinalysis/test.html
- Urination Problems(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/535.printerview.html
- Urine Color Change(DSHI Systems) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.freemd.com/urine-color-change/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
- Urodynamic Testing(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/urodynamic/index.htm
- Uroflowmetry(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/pediatric/index.cfm?cat=05&topic=288
- Voiding Cystourethrogram(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/pediatric/index.cfm?cat=05&topic=289
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Bladder Augmentation(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=03&topic=170
Also available in Spanish http://urologyhealth.org/espanol/espanol.cfm?topic=170
- Urinary Diversion(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=03&topic=145
- Urostomy and Continent Urinary Diversion(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/urostomy/
- Managing Bladder Dysfunction with Products and Devices(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=03&topic=390
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Benign Urethral Lesions(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=01&topic=32
Also available in Spanish http://urologyhealth.org/espanol/espanol.cfm?topic=32
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Bladder Diverticulum(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=03&topic=45
Also available in Spanish http://urologyhealth.org/espanol/espanol.cfm?topic=45
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Bladder Fistula(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=03&topic=35
Also available in Spanish http://urologyhealth.org/espanol/espanol.cfm?topic=35
- Bladder Stones(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/bladder-stones/DS00904/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
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Bladder Trauma(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=03&topic=36
Also available in Spanish http://urologyhealth.org/espanol/espanol.cfm?topic=36
- Extrinsic Obstruction of the Ureter(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=01&topic=93
- Nerve Disease and Bladder Control(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/nervedisease/index.htm
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Neurogenic Bladder(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=03&topic=109
Also available in Spanish http://urologyhealth.org/espanol/espanol.cfm?topic=109
- Ureteral Injuries(Merck & Co., Inc.) - http://www.merck.com/mmhe/sec11/ch150/ch150d.html
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Urethral Stricture Disease(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=01&topic=180
Also available in Spanish http://urologyhealth.org/espanol/espanol.cfm?topic=180
- Urethral Trauma(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=10&topic=144
- Paruresis(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=03&topic=410
- Urine Color(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/urine-color/DS01026/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
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Cystoscopy - Men(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/cystoscopymale/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/cystoscopymalespanish/htm/index.htm
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Cystoscopy - Women(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/cystoscopyfemale/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/cystoscopyfemalespanish/htm/index.htm
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Intravenous Pyelogram(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/ivp/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/ivpspanish/htm/index.htm
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Kidneys and Urinary Tract(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/body_basics/kidneys_urinary.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/general/kidneys_urinary_esp.html
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Urinary Bladder Diseases(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Urinary+Bladder+Diseases%22
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Urinary+Bladder,+Neurogenic%22
- Article: Efficacy and safety of extended-release oxybutynin in combination with tamsulosin... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18775200&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Overactive bladder. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18700063&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Early treatment of acute pyelonephritis in children fails to reduce... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18762516&tool=MedlinePlus
- Bladder Diseases -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=urinary+bladder+diseases[majr]+NOT+(urinary+bladder+neoplasms[mh]+OR+cystitis+interstitial[mh])+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- self-catheterization - http://vsearch.nlm.nih.gov/vivisimo/cgi-bin/query-meta?v:project=medlineplus&binning-state=group%3d%3dMedical%20Encyclopedia&query=self%2Dcatheterization
- Glossary(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/glossary/index.cfm
- Urologic Diseases Dictionary(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/udictionary/
- Directory of Kidney and Urologic Diseases Organizations(National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/resources/organizations.htm
- Find a Urogynecologist(American Urogynecologic Society) - http://www.mypelvichealth.org/FindaProvider/tabid/75/Default.aspx
- Find a Urologist(American Urological Association) - http://urologyhealth.org/find_urologist/
- American Urogynecologic Society - http://www.augs.org/
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - http://www.niddk.nih.gov/
- National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/
- Kidney and Urologic Diseases Statistics for the United States(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kustats/
- Benign Urethral Lesions in Children - Boys(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/pediatric/index.cfm?cat=01&topic=33
- Benign Urethral Lesions in Children - Girls(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/pediatric/index.cfm?cat=01&topic=34
- Bladder Exstrophy(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/pediatric/index.cfm?cat=03&topic=310
- Cloacal Exstrophy(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/pediatric/index.cfm?cat=03&topic=311
- Ectopic Ureter(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/pediatric/index.cfm?cat=01&topic=71
- Genitourinary and Kidney Disorders(Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) - http://www.chop.edu/consumer/your_child/condition_section_index.jsp?id=-9162
- Megaureter(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/pediatric/index.cfm?cat=01&topic=103
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Urachal Anomalies(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=03&topic=141
Also available in Spanish http://urologyhealth.org/espanol/espanol.cfm?topic=141
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Ureterocele(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=01&topic=142&x=14&y=13
Also available in Spanish http://urologyhealth.org/espanol/espanol.cfm?topic=142
- Urine Blockage in Newborns(National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/newborns/
- Urine Tests(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sick/labtest7.html
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Vaginal Anomalies: Cloacal Anomalies(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=06&topic=148
Also available in Spanish http://urologyhealth.org/espanol/espanol.cfm?topic=148
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Vaginal Anomalies: Urogenital Sinus(American Urological Association) - http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=06&topic=152
Also available in Spanish http://urologyhealth.org/espanol/espanol.cfm?topic=152
- Vesicoureteral Reflux(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/vesicoureteralreflux/
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Kidneys and Urinary Tract(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_body/body_basics/kidneys.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/teen/en_espanol/cuerpo/kidneys_esp.html
- Bladder Outlet Obstruction: Causes in Men?(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/bladder-outlet-obstruction/HO00023/METHOD=print
- Cystocele(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/cystocele/DS00665/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Cystocele (Fallen Bladder)(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) - http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/cystocele/
- Urogynecology(American Urogynecologic Society) - http://www.mypelvichealth.org/CaregiverInformation/PFDFacts/Urogynecology/tabid/62/Default.aspx
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Vaginal Pessary(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/women/reproductive/gynecologic/578.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/women/reproductive/gynecologic/578.printerview.html
- Bladder Cancer - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bladdercancer.html
- Interstitial Cystitis - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/interstitialcystitis.html
- Pelvic Support Problems - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/pelvicsupportproblems.html
- Urinary Incontinence - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/urinaryincontinence.html
- Urinary Tract Infections - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/urinarytractinfections.html
- Kidneys and Urinary System - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/kidneysandurinarysystem.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Bladder Diseases is the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - http://www.niddk.nih.gov/
Bladder Diseases - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/bladderdiseases.html