About Incontinence - Types of Incontinence - Neurogenic Bladder
Neurogenic bladder occurs when there is damage to the nerves which control the urinary tract. Numerous nerves control the storage and emptying of urine from the bladder, and an injury to any of these nerves can cause neurogenic bladder. Neurogenic bladder can cause the bladder to not empty completely (flaccid bladder), or to suffer from spasms (spastic bladdder). The person with neurogenic bladder may have large, uncontrollable voids of urine, or a constant dribble of urine. Some will experience pain or a burning sensation, while others will have a feeling of constantly needing to urinate as though the bladder is always full.
Why?
The causes
of nerve damage to the bladder region are many. These are just a few of the more commons reasons for neurogenic bladder:
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Injuries and accidents
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Spina bifida
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Multiple sclerosis
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
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Stroke
Treament and Management
Treatment of neurogenic bladder revolves around preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs). Due to the frequent inability to completely empty the bladder, people with neurogenic bladder are at a high risk for UTIs and therefore often use a urinary catheter. Depending on the type of neurogenic bladder involved, a person can use self-catheterize or use a long-term indwelling catheter (Foley type). Some medications may be prescribed by your healthcare professional in order to improve bladder muscle control and to prevent involuntary muscle contractions. In some cases, surgery may be performed to tighten some of the pelvic muscles to help improve bladder control or to implant an artifical sphincter. Only in extreme cases is a urinary diversion performed, where the flow of urine is rerouted out of the body into an external collection device (pouch), which is worn on the abdomen.
Page last modified 26 July 2009