Understanding Neurogenic Bladder Symptoms
Living with neurogenic bladder can significantly affect your quality of life, but understanding the condition is the first step to finding relief. This article explores the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for neurogenic bladder while offering practical steps to manage the condition.
At Urology of Greater Atlanta, our board-certified urologists specialize in diagnosing and treating bladder conditions, including overactive bladder and neurogenic bladder. Contact one of our convenient locations throughout Georgia today!
What is Neurogenic Bladder?
Neurogenic bladder is a condition caused by nerve damage that disrupts communication between the brain, spinal cord, and bladder muscles. This dysfunction can lead to an inability to control bladder emptying, resulting in symptoms that range from urinary retention to urinary incontinence.
The bladder can either become overactive (spastic or hyper-reflexive) or underactive (flaccid or hypotonic).
An overactive bladder is often identified when a person has difficulties emptying their bladder fully, or the bladder will empty itself before a person reaches the bathroom. This is also called urinary incontinence.
An underactive bladder occurs when your bladder muscles lose their ability to hold your urine. As a result, you’re no longer able to sense when your bladder is full or to empty it completely, so it overflows and urine leaks out. This is also called overflow incontinence.
Bladder spasms can cause the bladder to shrink before the person reaches the toilet creating a sudden urge to go to the bathroom. This is called urge incontinence.
What Causes Neurogenic Bladder?
Neurogenic bladder can either be present at birth or be caused by other medical conditions that develop later in life. Congenital disabilities that can cause neurogenic bladder are:
- Spina bifida (myelomeningocele)
- Sacral agenesis
- Cerebral palsy
Medical conditions that develop later in life that can cause neurogenic bladder can include:
- Stroke
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple sclerosis
- Acute spinal cord injury
- Spinal surgeries
- Erectile dysfunction
- Trauma/accidents
- Brain or spinal cord tumors
- Heavy metal poisoning
If you suspect your symptoms are related to an overactive bladder or another bladder issue, a health care provider can help determine the underlying cause.
What Are the Symptoms of Neurogenic Bladder?
The symptoms of neurogenic bladder depend on whether it manifests as an overactive or underactive bladder:
Overactive bladder symptoms
Overactive bladder symptoms may include the following:
- Frequent urination (eight or more times a day)
- Sudden, intense urge to urinate
- Severe urinary incontinence or leakage due to overactive bladder muscles
Underactive bladder symptoms
Underactive bladder symptoms may include the following:
- Difficulty starting urination
- Weak urine stream
- Urinary retention, which may lead to infections or discomfort
Its possible to experience symptoms of both overactive and underactive bladder.
How Can Neurogenic Bladder Affect Your Life?
Neurogenic bladder can impact your daily life in several ways, including:
- Physical effects: Urinary retention or leakage can lead to discomfort, frequent infections, or skin irritation.
- Emotional toll: Living with bladder control issues often causes embarrassment, stress, or anxiety.
- Reduced quality of life: Symptoms can interfere with work, social activities, and sleep.
With proper diagnosis and treatment, you can improve overactive bladder symptoms and regain confidence in your daily activities.
How is Neurogenic Bladder Diagnosed?
Diagnosing neurogenic bladder involves a thorough evaluation by a urologist, which may include:
- Medical history and physical exam
- Urodynamic testing to assess how well the bladder and urethra store and release urine
- Imaging studies, such as ultrasounds, to see how much urine is in the bladder after urination.
- Urinalysis or urine culture to rule out infection
Our board-certified doctors at Urology of Greater Atlanta are experienced in diagnosing complex bladder issues, ensuring you receive the care you need.
How is Neurogenic Bladder Treated?
Treatment for neurogenic bladder depends on its severity and underlying cause. Common options include:
- Medications: These can relax overactive bladder muscles or stimulate underactive bladder function.
- Clean Intermittent Catheterization (CIC): A method to relieve urinary retention by helping you fully empty your bladder.
- Stimulation therapy. Sacral neuromodulation (SNS) therapy and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) restore bladder control by stimulating nerves.
- Botox® injections: Botox injections can be used either in the bladder or urinary sphincters.
- Bladder augmentation: This surgical procedure removes part of the intestine and attaches it to the walls of the bladder. This reduces the internal pressure in the bladder, increasing its ability to store urine.
- Urostomy: A surgeon creates a new tube from a piece of intestine that allows your kidneys to drain and urine to exit the body through the abdomen.
Our board-certified urologists can create a customized treatment plan to restore your normal bladder function and relieve your symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes For Neurogenic Bladder
In addition to medical treatments, incorporating lifestyle changes can help you better manage neurogenic bladder symptoms:
- Stay hydrated: Drinking enough water prevents bladder irritation, but avoid excessive intake close to bedtime.
- Monitor your diet: You should avoid foods and beverages that irritate the bladder. These include caffeinated drinks like coffee, carbonated beverages, spicy foods, and citrus fruit.
- Weight loss: Losing weight can ease the stress on the bladder.
- Practice bladder training: Gradually increase the time between bathroom visits to improve bladder control.
- Strengthen your pelvic floor muscles: Exercises like Kegels can support bladder function and reduce urinary incontinence.
Expert Care for Neurogenic Bladder
If you’re living with neurogenic bladder symptoms, our team at Urology of Greater Atlanta is here to help. With advanced diagnostic tools and personalized treatment options, we aim to restore your quality of life and improve your bladder health.
To schedule an appointment with one of our board-certified urologists, contact Urology of Greater Atlanta today. Let us help you take the first step toward better bladder control and improved confidence.
