Understanding the Urinary System in Grand Rapids, MI

The urinary system plays a critical role in removing waste and extra fluid from your body. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, where seasonal changes, hydration needs, and chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes are common health concerns, keeping your urinary system healthy is especially important.

The urinary system includes:

  • Kidneys
  • Ureters
  • Bladder
  • Urethra

These organs work together to filter your blood, create urine, and remove it from the body.

The Kidneys: Your Body’s Natural Filters

The human body has two kidneys, located on either side of the spine in the middle of the back, just under the ribs. In Grand Rapids residents, as in everyone, the kidneys are essential for overall health.

Each kidney contains thousands of tiny filtering units called nephrons. Each nephron is connected to a network of tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that bring blood in to be filtered.

Approximately 180 liters of blood pass through the kidneys every day. From this, the kidneys:

  • Remove waste products and extra fluid
  • Help balance electrolytes (like sodium and potassium)
  • Help regulate the body’s acid–base balance
  • Produce hormones that:
    • Help control blood pressure
    • Support red blood cell production
    • Help keep bones healthy

In West Michigan, where high blood pressure and diabetes are common risk factors, regular kidney checkups at local providers like Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, and Metro Health – University of Michigan Health can help detect kidney issues early.

Ureters: Tubes That Carry Urine to the Bladder

Each kidney connects to a thin muscular tube called a ureter.

How the ureters work

  • Filtered waste and extra water form urine in the kidneys.
  • Urine flows from each kidney down the ureter.
  • The ureters carry urine into the bladder, a hollow organ located in the pelvis.

Because Michigan winters can be cold and people may drink less water, urine can become more concentrated, which may increase the risk of kidney stones in some individuals. Staying well-hydrated year-round in Grand Rapids helps the ureters and kidneys function properly.

The Bladder: Urine Storage

The bladder is a muscular, balloon-like organ in the pelvis that stores urine until you are ready to urinate.

What the bladder does

  • Collects urine from the ureters
  • Stores urine safely
  • Sends signals to the brain when it is getting full

When the bladder reaches a certain level of fullness, it sends a signal that you need to urinate. This is the “urge” you feel.

Urine is made up of:

  • Water
  • Waste products such as urea and ammonia
  • Other dissolved substances filtered from the blood

If you notice burning with urination, blood in the urine, or a frequent urge to go—especially common during colder months when urinary tract infections (UTIs) can increase—local clinics and urgent care centers in Grand Rapids can evaluate you promptly.

The Urethra and Sphincter: How Urine Leaves the Body

The urethra is the small tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.

  • In males, the urethra is about 20 centimeters long and passes through the penis.
  • In females, the urethra is shorter, about 4 centimeters, and opens just in front of the vagina.

At the point where the urethra meets the bladder is a small ring of muscle called a sphincter.

How the sphincter works

  • Stays tightly closed to prevent urine from leaking out
  • Relaxes when you decide to urinate, allowing urine to pass

Weakness or damage to this sphincter muscle, which can happen after childbirth, surgery, or with aging, can lead to urinary incontinence (leaking urine). Pelvic floor therapy services are available through many Grand Rapids health systems, including Corewell Health and Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Common Urinary System Problems in Grand Rapids, MI

Residents of Grand Rapids and the greater Kent County area can experience a range of urinary system issues. Early diagnosis and treatment from local urologists and primary care providers can help prevent complications.

1. Kidney Function and Fluid Balance

The kidneys help regulate the amount of water in the body. They adjust how much water is kept or released in urine, depending on:

  • How much you drink
  • How much you sweat (for example, during humid Michigan summers)
  • Certain medications
  • Health conditions like heart failure or kidney disease

When the kidneys are not working properly, you may notice:

  • Swelling in the legs, ankles, or around the eyes
  • Fatigue
  • Changes in urination (more or less often)

If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney disease in Grand Rapids, ask your provider at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, or Mercy Health about regular kidney function tests.

2. Bladder Emptying Problems

Sometimes, it can become difficult to fully empty the bladder. This can be caused by:

  • Enlarged prostate in men
  • Nerve problems (neurologic conditions)
  • Certain medications
  • Bladder muscle weakness

Symptoms may include:

  • Weak urine stream
  • Feeling like the bladder is not empty after urinating
  • Frequent urination, especially at night

Untreated, this can increase the risk of urinary tract infections. Local urology clinics in Grand Rapids can perform simple tests to measure how well your bladder is emptying.

3. Urinary Incontinence (Leaking Urine)

Urinary incontinence occurs when urine leaks out of the urethra without your control. This is a common issue, especially among:

  • Older adults
  • Women after childbirth
  • People with certain neurologic or pelvic conditions

Types of incontinence include:

  • Stress incontinence – leaking with coughing, laughing, sneezing, or exercise
  • Urge incontinence – sudden, strong urge to urinate followed by leakage
  • Mixed incontinence – a combination of stress and urge symptoms

In Grand Rapids, treatment options may include:

  • Pelvic floor exercises (Kegels)
  • Bladder training
  • Medications
  • Minimally invasive procedures or surgery

Many primary care offices and women’s health clinics in Kent County offer evaluation and referral to pelvic floor physical therapy.

4. Kidney Infections

A kidney infection (pyelonephritis) can occur when a bladder infection “backs up” through the ureters into the kidneys.

Common signs include:

  • Fever and chills
  • Pain in the side or back (flank pain)
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Burning or pain with urination
  • Frequent or urgent need to urinate

Kidney infections require prompt medical care and antibiotics. Emergency departments at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital, Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital, and area urgent care centers are equipped to handle these infections.

5. Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys. They can be caused by:

  • Not drinking enough fluids (more common in hot, humid summers if you get dehydrated)
  • High levels of calcium or certain salts in the blood and urine
  • Some infections
  • Certain diets or metabolic conditions

Symptoms of kidney stones include:

  • Severe, cramping pain in the back or side that may move to the groin
  • Blood in the urine
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Painful urination

Kidney stone care, including imaging and treatment, is widely available in Grand Rapids through urology specialists at major health systems.

Local Resources for Urinary Health in Grand Rapids

If you have concerns about your urinary system, you don’t have to manage them alone. Grand Rapids and Kent County offer many resources:

  • Primary Care & Urology Clinics

    • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) practices
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids clinics
    • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
    • Independent urology groups in the metro area

  • Public Health Support

    • Kent County Health Department – information on chronic disease prevention, diabetes, and hypertension management that can protect kidney health
    • Grand Rapids Public Health programs – education on healthy lifestyles, hydration, and chronic disease management

  • Emergency & Urgent Care

    • Local emergency departments for severe pain, fever with urinary symptoms, or inability to urinate
    • Urgent care centers across Grand Rapids for urinary tract infections and early kidney stone evaluation

When to See a Healthcare Provider

Contact a healthcare provider in Grand Rapids if you notice:

  • Pain or burning with urination
  • Blood in your urine
  • Frequent or urgent need to urinate
  • Difficulty starting or stopping urine flow
  • Back or side pain with fever or chills
  • Unexplained leaking of urine

Early evaluation can prevent more serious kidney or bladder problems and help you maintain a healthy urinary system in every Michigan season.