Urinary system muscles and nerves work together to hold urine and let it out at the right time. Nerves send messages from the bladder to the brain and spinal cord. The messages tell the bladder’s muscles to tighten or relax. In neurogenic bladder, these nerves don’t work as they should.
Problems in the brain, spinal cord, or nerves can lead to neurogenic bladder, which is also referred to as neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction. This condition occurs when a person is unable to regulate their bladder. In order for your bladder to store pee until you are ready to empty it, a number of muscles and nerves have to cooperate with one another. The brain and the muscles that govern when the bladder empties communicate with one another via nerve messages that travel back and forth.
If a disease or injury causes damage to these nerves, it is possible that the muscles will lose their ability to contract or relax at the appropriate times. People who have neurogenic bladders have nerves and muscles in their bladder that do not cooperate well with one another. There is a possibility that the bladder will not fill or empty in the correct manner.
A neurogenic bladder affects the lives of millions of individuals. People suffering from multiple sclerosis (MS), spina bifida, and Parkinson’s disease are included in this category. People who have suffered a stroke, harm to their spinal cord, severe pelvic surgery, diabetes, or any number of other conditions are also candidates for inclusion.
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The kidneys, the urethra, and the bladder are all components of the urinary system. These are the organs that are responsible for producing urine, storing urine, and passing pee. When the urinary system is operating normally, the urine that the kidneys produce is transported to the bladder for storage. The bladder is an organ that looks like a balloon and is responsible for storing pee in the body. Pelvic muscles in the lowest portion of your abdomen are responsible for maintaining their position. After the urine has been expelled from the bladder, it travels through the urethra, which is the tube that leads urine out of the body.
The bladder is in a relaxed state when it is not completely stuffed with urine. Your brain sends nerve impulses to your bladder to let you know when it is about to become full. When this happens, you suddenly have the urge to urinate. When you have located a restroom and are prepared to urinate, the brain sends a signal to the muscles in the bladder to begin contracting (or “contract”). Your urine will have no choice but to exit through your urethra as a result of this. Sphincters are the muscles that can be found in your urethra. They assist in maintaining the closure of the urethra, preventing urine from escaping before you are ready to use the restroom. When the bladder contracts, these sphincters allow urine to pass more easily.
In order for your bladder to store pee until you are ready to empty it, a number of muscles and nerves have to cooperate with one another. The brain and the muscles that control bladder emptying are constantly communicating with one another through the use of nerve impulses. If an illness or injury causes damage to these nerves, it is possible that the muscles will not be able to contract or relax at the appropriate times.
People who suffer from neurogenic bladder have nerves and muscles in the bladder that do not collaborate very effectively with one another. As a direct consequence of this, the bladder might not fill or empty as it should.
When a person has an overactive bladder (OAB), their muscles may be more active than usual, causing them to squeeze the bladder more frequently than usual and before the bladder is full of urine. This condition, known as incontinence, occurs when the muscles that control the sphincter do not have sufficient strength and allow urine to pass before you are ready to visit the bathroom.
In certain people, the muscle that controls the bladder could not be active enough. It is not possible to squeeze it when it is full of urine, and it does not empty completely or at all. It’s also possible that the sphincter muscles that surround the urethra aren’t working properly. It’s possible that they’ll remain constrictive even while you work to empty your bladder. There are certain individuals who suffer from both an overactive and underactive bladder.
The symptoms of neurogenic bladder might vary greatly from one individual to the next. The specific kind of nerve injury that’s creating the issue also plays a role in determining the symptoms. Among the possible symptoms are:
Infection of the Urinary Tract In most cases, the first symptom of neurogenic bladder is an infection of the urinary tract (also known as a UTI). Both underactive and hyperactive bladders might put a person at risk for developing recurrent urinary tract infections. This recurrent ailment is brought on by the presence of pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or yeast that grows in the urinary tract.
Leaking Urine Urine might leak out of the bladder if the muscles in the bladder are hyperactive and squeeze it more frequently than usual. When you squeeze too hard, pee can seep out of your body before the moment is right for you to pass it. Urinary incontinence is the medical term for this condition. There is a possibility that a few drips of urine will flow from you. You may experience episodes in which you suddenly urinate a significant volume. It is not uncommon for pee to flow when you are sleeping.
Passing Urine Often When you suddenly feel the need to urinate, you may have an overactive bladder (OAB), which can cause frequent urination. After experiencing this sensation, some persons have the sudden urge to urinate, and they may do so in small or large amounts. Another symptom is frequent urination, which is defined as more than eight times in one day.
Urine Dribbles If you have signs of an underactive bladder, you may only be able to dribble a little bit of urine. It is possible that you will be unable to empty your bladder at all, or that you will only be able to empty it partially (urinary retention). People who have diabetes, multiple sclerosis, polio, syphilis, or have had severe pelvic surgery may experience this as a result of the bladder muscle’s inability to contract when it should. It’s also possible that the sphincter muscles that surround the urethra aren’t working properly. It’s possible that they’ll remain snug even as you work to empty your bladder.
Because the neurogenic bladder affects both the neurological system and the bladder, your doctor may do a variety of tests in order to evaluate both aspects of your health. A crucial first step could be to discuss your concerns with your primary care physician.
The treatment’s objectives are to ease the symptoms you’re experiencing and to protect your kidneys from further injury. The treatments are geared toward making your overall quality of life better. Patients who are regularly monitored for neurogenic bladder and given treatment for the condition can have significant enhancements to their quality of life.
Your healthcare practitioner will make a determination regarding treatment for neurogenic bladder depending on the following:
Neurogenic bladder dysfunction comes in two forms.
Surgical intervention is required at times. Artificial sphincter surgery is one of the treatments available for neurogenic bladder. An electrical device is implanted close to the nerves of the bladder in order to activate the muscles of the bladder.
Neurogenic bladder is what happens when an injury or disease breaks the link between the nervous system and how the bladder works. It can’t be fixed, but it can be dealt with. Treatment options include taking pills, using catheters, and making changes to how you live.