Neurogenic Bladder: Understanding Post-Stroke Complications And Management

how do you get nurogenic bladder from a stroke

A neurogenic bladder is a loss of voluntary urinary control due to a central or peripheral nervous system disorder, resulting in an over-active or under-active bladder. It is a common condition affecting millions of Americans and can be caused by a stroke, which damages the part of the brain that controls the bladder. Urinary incontinence is a major quality-of-life issue, impacting a person's ability to control urine flow and participate in social activities without experiencing leakage. 15% of stroke survivors experience incontinence a year after their stroke, according to the Stroke Association. Treatments for neurogenic bladder caused by a stroke include pelvic floor exercises, medication, and catheterization.

Characteristics Values
What is neurogenic bladder? Refers to what happens when the relationship between the nervous system and bladder function is disrupted by injury or disease
What causes neurogenic bladder? Can be congenital (present at birth) or caused by diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, diabetes, or a stroke
How common is neurogenic bladder? Very common among people with spinal cord injuries, affecting more than 90% of them
What are the symptoms of neurogenic bladder? Being unable to control urination, weak or dribbling urinary stream, frequent urination, urgency, painful urination
How is neurogenic bladder treated? Lifestyle changes, catheterization, drugs, injections of botulinum A toxin, bladder augmentation, ileal conduit
What are the types of bladder problems after a stroke? Frequency, urgency incontinence, nocturia, nocturnal enuresis, functional incontinence, stress incontinence, reflex incontinence, overflow incontinence

medshun

Neurogenic bladder is caused by nerve damage resulting from a stroke

A stroke can have a significant impact on an individual, including their bladder function. Neurogenic bladder is a condition where the relationship between the nervous system and bladder function is disrupted by injury or disease. In the case of a stroke, the injury to the brain can cause nerve damage that affects bladder control. This can result in either an overactive bladder (spastic or hyper-reflexive) or an underactive bladder (flaccid or hypotonic).

The bladder is a hollow organ located in the pelvis or lower abdomen, responsible for storing urine. Normally, nerve signals from the brain let a person know when their bladder is getting full, and the bladder muscles then squeeze to force the urine out through the urethra. However, when nerve damage occurs due to a stroke, these nerves and muscles don't work together effectively. This can lead to the bladder filling or emptying incorrectly, causing urinary incontinence and other issues.

The specific symptoms of neurogenic bladder can vary depending on the type of nerve damage caused by the stroke. Some people may experience both overactive and underactive bladder symptoms, including urgency, frequency, retention, and incontinence. Urinary tract infections are also common in people with neurogenic bladder, as are skin problems and infections due to leaking urine.

While there is no cure for neurogenic bladder, various treatment options are available to manage the condition. These include lifestyle changes, such as avoiding bladder-irritating foods and drinks, pelvic floor exercises, and bladder training. Intermittent catheterization, scheduled voiding, and relaxation techniques can also be effective in managing neurogenic bladder post-stroke.

It is important for individuals who have experienced a stroke and are having bladder control issues to seek help from their healthcare provider. They can assist in determining the cause of the problem and provide appropriate treatment options to improve quality of life.

medshun

Bladder problems are common after a stroke, with 15% of survivors experiencing incontinence a year on

Bladder problems are a common occurrence after a stroke, with 15% of survivors experiencing incontinence a year on. This is due to the disruption in the relationship between the nervous system and bladder function, resulting in neurogenic bladder. Neurogenic bladder can manifest as either overactive (spastic or hyper-reflexive) or underactive (flaccid or hypotonic) bladder control issues.

The bladder is a hollow organ located in the pelvis or lower abdomen, responsible for storing and removing urine from the body. After a stroke, individuals may experience a loss of bladder control, difficulty in getting to the bathroom on time, or challenges with taking off clothes in time. These issues can lead to urinary incontinence, frequency, and functional incontinence.

To manage bladder problems after a stroke, individuals can try bladder retraining, Kegel or pelvic floor exercises, and consuming adequate fluids during the day while limiting irritants like caffeine, alcohol, and soda. It is also important to consult a doctor to ensure that medications are not contributing to the issue and explore other treatment options.

Additionally, making physical adjustments, such as clearing a path to the bathroom and installing a night light, can be helpful. Using absorbent products designed for incontinence can also help manage bladder problems and maintain skin health.

medshun

Urinary retention is common after a stroke, but usually lasts a few days

A stroke can cause neurological damage to the body, which can result in bladder dysfunction. The bladder is a hollow organ located in the pelvis or lower abdomen. It stores urine and removes it from the body in response to signals from the spinal cord and brain. When the urinary system is functioning normally, the kidneys produce urine and transfer it to the bladder. The bladder then signals to the brain when it is full, and the brain tells the bladder muscles to squeeze and push the urine out through the urethra.

After a stroke, the nerves that control the bladder can be damaged, leading to neurogenic bladder. Neurogenic bladder refers to the disruption of the relationship between the nervous system and bladder function due to injury or disease. It is characterised by either overactive bladder (spastic or hyper-reflexive) or underactive bladder (flaccid or hypotonic). In the case of overactive bladder, the bladder muscles may squeeze more often than normal, even before the bladder is full, resulting in urine leakage. With underactive bladder, the bladder muscle may not squeeze when it is filled with urine, leading to incomplete or absent urination.

Urinary retention is a common issue after a stroke. It can cause discomfort, leakage, and bladder infections. However, it usually lasts only a few days to a few weeks after a stroke. During this time, there are several treatments that can help manage urinary retention, including medication, catheterisation, and bladder training. Bladder training involves sticking to a set schedule for bathroom trips and resisting the urge to urinate outside of that schedule. This can help increase the volume of fluid the bladder can hold and reduce feelings of urgency.

In addition to urinary retention, other bladder dysfunctions that can occur after a stroke include urinary frequency, urgency, and incontinence. These issues can be managed through a combination of medication and physical therapy, such as pelvic floor exercises.

medshun

Treatments for neurogenic bladder include pelvic floor exercises, medication, and catheterization

A neurogenic bladder is a problem caused by a disruption in the relationship between the nervous system and bladder function, often as a result of a stroke. It can lead to either an overactive bladder, where the bladder muscles squeeze more often than normal, or an underactive bladder, where the bladder muscle does not squeeze when it is full.

There is no cure for neurogenic bladder, but symptoms can be managed through treatments such as:

Pelvic Floor Exercises

Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. These exercises can be particularly beneficial for those with an overactive bladder, as they can help to reduce the "gotta go" feeling and improve bladder control.

Medication

Medications such as oxybutynin, tolterodine, mirabegron, and solifenacin succinate can be prescribed to relax the bladder and improve bladder control. Other medications, like bethanechol, can make certain nerves more active and improve bladder function.

Catheterization

Catheterization involves the use of a thin, flexible tube called a catheter that is inserted through the urethra into the bladder to drain urine. There are two main types of catheterization:

  • Clean intermittent catheterization (CIC): This involves inserting the catheter a few times a day to empty the bladder.
  • Continuous catheterization: A catheter is worn at all times to continuously drain urine.

medshun

Bladder problems can be improved by drinking plenty of fluids and reducing caffeine intake

A neurogenic bladder is a term used to describe the disruption in the relationship between the nervous system and bladder function due to injury or disease. It is a common issue for people with spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and those who have suffered a stroke. The condition can cause bladder control problems, with the bladder becoming either overactive or underactive.

Drinking Plenty of Fluids

Drinking adequate fluids, especially water, is essential for maintaining good bladder health. The human body is largely made up of water, and staying hydrated helps the bladder function optimally. Aim to drink enough fluids so that you need to urinate every few hours. However, it's important to find the right balance, as drinking too much water can also lead to frequent urination.

For individuals with overactive bladder (OAB), drinking plenty of fluids is crucial. OAB is characterised by a sudden urge to urinate, and adequate fluid intake helps to dilute the urine and reduce irritation in the bladder. It is recommended to drink around six 8-ounce glasses of water per day and limit fluid intake in the evenings to prevent frequent urination at night.

Additionally, drinking enough water can help prevent constipation, which is a common cause of bladder problems. Constipation can put pressure on the bladder and affect its ability to function properly.

Reducing Caffeine Intake

Caffeine is a known bladder irritant and can exacerbate overactive bladder symptoms. It increases bladder activity, leading to higher urgency and frequency of urination, as well as increased incontinence. Caffeine can also promote early urgency and nocturia (night-time urination).

Reducing or eliminating caffeine intake can significantly decrease these symptoms. Even switching to decaffeinated coffee and tea can help, as they still contain small amounts of caffeine. Opting for white chocolate instead of milk or dark chocolate is also advisable, as chocolate contains caffeine.

It is important to note that caffeine withdrawal can also cause bladder problems, so it is recommended to gradually reduce caffeine intake to avoid any adverse effects.

In summary, drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, is crucial for maintaining bladder health and preventing constipation, which can contribute to bladder issues. Additionally, reducing caffeine intake can help alleviate overactive bladder symptoms by decreasing bladder activity and urgency. Finding the right balance between fluid intake and caffeine reduction is essential for optimising bladder function and improving quality of life.

Frequently asked questions

A neurogenic bladder is a loss of voluntary urinary control due to a central or peripheral nervous system disorder, resulting in an over-active or under-active bladder.

Symptoms of a neurogenic bladder include:

- Urinary incontinence

- Urgency without the ability to void urine

- Slow stream or flow of urine

- Requiring manual compression above the bladder to void

- Increased pressure above the pelvis or discomfort without the ability to void urine

Treatment options for neurogenic bladder include:

- Medication

- Lifestyle changes, such as pelvic floor exercises and bladder training

- Clean intermittent catheterization

- Bladder augmentation surgery

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment