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Test Your Bladder Health Knowledge
URL of this page: //medlineplus.gov/ency/quiz/000521.htm

Test Your Bladder Health Knowledge

The bladder's job is to hold urine.

The correct answer is true. The kidneys produce urine, which travels to the bladder through narrow tubes called the ureters. The bladder is located in the center of the lowest part of your abdomen. It holds your urine until you urinate. Most people make about one to two quarts of urine every day.

A healthy bladder can hold how much urine at a time?

The correct answer is more than two cups. You first feel the urge to urinate when your bladder is about half full, but your bladder continues to stretch until it's full. Don't wait too long to urinate after you feel the urge.

Men are more likely to have bladder infections than women.

The correct answer is false. Women are more likely to have bladder infections. This is because women have a shorter urethra (the tube where urine leaves the body,) and it's closer to the anus. Women are more likely to get an infection after sex or during and after menopause.

A fever is the most common sign of a bladder infection.

The correct answer is false. People with a bladder infection do not have a fever. More common symptoms include cloudy or bloody urine, pain or burning when you urinate, pressure or cramps in the lower stomach or back, or feeling like you need to urinate often. Call your doctor if you think you have a bladder infection.

An untreated bladder infection can spread to the kidneys.

The correct answer is true. The symptoms of a kidney infection include a high fever, chills, back pain, and a general sick feeling. If you have any signs of a kidney infection, call your doctor right away. A kidney infection can damage the kidneys if it's not treated.

Men with a bladder infection may have another health problem.

The correct answer is true. A bladder infection in a man could be a sign that he has a problem with his urinary system or another health condition. Your doctor may refer you to a urologist for more testing.

Only people over age 60 have urinary incontinence.

The correct answer is false. Urinary incontinence occurs if you leak urine or have trouble holding your urine. It is most common in older people, but men and women of any age can have it. If you have trouble with leaking urine or not getting to the bathroom on time, see your doctor. There are many treatments that can help.

Smoking increases your risk of bladder cancer.

The correct answer is true. Smoking can increase your risk of bladder cancer by two to three times. The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. See your doctor if you have blood in your urine, even if it goes away after a few days.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) is the same thing as cystitis.

The correct answer is false. Cystitis is another name for a bladder infection. IC is a painful condition caused by irritation of the bladder not due to an infection. Doctors don't know the cause, but it can feel like a bladder infection. Tell your doctor if you have symptoms of a bladder infection that don't get better with treatment.

Women are more likely to have IC than men.

The correct answer is true. Women are 10 times more likely to have IC than men. It's most common in women ages 30 to 40, but younger women can have it too. See your doctor if you have pelvic pain, pain while urinating, or pain during intercourse.

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