Do you know nerve damage diseases can disrupt your life in ways you never expected?
Neurogenic bladder is one such worldwide nerve damage disease, with millions of people suffering from this disorder. It occurs when the nerves that involve the communication between the brain and the bladder get damaged and result in urinary dysfunction, such as incontinence, urine retention, or urinary tract infection.
Further, while there are effective ways of treating its symptoms, the process of managing them can become a major part of an individual’s life. Nonetheless, neurogenic bladder patients can live a normal life when they get the proper maintenance approaches.
This blog will discuss the potential cause of neurogenic bladder, the challenges that may arise with such a condition, and how people can manage it and take charge of their health again.
Unraveling the Causes of Neurogenic Bladder
A neurogenic bladder occurs when there is a break in this usual phenomenon of nerves to the bladder or when the nerves controlling the bladder are damaged.
Here are some common causes:
1. Spinal Cord Damage
Lesions of the spinal cord at any level, particularly in the lumbar or sacral segments, may interfere with the reflex arcs between the brain and the bladder, resulting in urinary retention as well as incontinence.
The degree depends on the injury type and its effect on the nerves controlling the bladder. One of the most typically used methods in this retention is double voiding, during which a person releases twice, waiting only a few minutes between the voiding.
This method is useful in avoiding the formation of urinary tract infections and minimizing the damage of the bladder from residual fluids.
2. Multiple Sclerosis
MS, or multiple sclerosis, is an autoimmune disorder that affects the brain and spinal cord in the body. Multiple sclerosis, which involves the central nervous system, can result in many symptoms, including bladder control issues.
Persons with MS may develop urgency, frequency, incontinence or inability to void. For instance, one might feel that they have been drinking a lot of water but not urinating much or, after only a little intake of water, getting an urge to pee.
3. Brain Stroke
In some cases, a stroke results in a change in the regions of the brain responsible for the control of bladder muscle. According to the location and extent of a stroke, a person may get neurogenic bladder symptoms characterized by retention, neurogenic incontinence or both.
As a result, one might start to wonder why do I feel like I have to pee every 5 minutes, affecting their daily routine adversely. This scenario shows the symptoms of an overactive bladder.
4. Diabetes
Diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, over time, may result in diabetic neuropathy, where nerves are affected, including those responsible for the bladders.
It may lead to the inability to completely empty the bladder system or an overactive bladder, which includes dysuria, frequency, and urgency among patients. Due to this, one might even start to feel like peeing every hour or so.
5. Spina Bifida
Spina bifida is a birth defect that takes place when the spinal cord is not properly formed during pregnancy and makes a small gap in the spinal column.
Patients with spina bifida are likely to have neurogenic bladder caused by damage in the lower neural nerves that are responsible for bladder functioning.
6. Parkinson’s Condition
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that impairs bodily movements and might also influence other involuntary functions, such as bladder control.
As this disease advances, the affected patients may not be able to discern the signals that their bladder is full or even suffer problems with urinary incontinence and retention.
The Overwhelming Struggles of Neurogenic Bladder: Understanding the Challenges
Neurogenic bladder can give rise to several challenging issues that hinder one’s daily routine drastically. Some challenges faced by individuals with neurogenic bladder include:
1. Leaking Moisture with Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence resulting from an overactive bladder, impaired nervous system or lack of control over the lower sphincter is one of the most common problems that arises from neurogenic bladder.
It causes one to experience unexpected moisture leakage irrespective of day or night. The end result of this can be embarrassment, isolation, and degradation of the quality of life for the patient.
2. Risky Consequences of Urinary Retention
In most cases of neurogenic bladder, people develop urinary retention, a condition where they are not able to release at all.
This, in turn, can cause distress, recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), and chronic harm to the bladder and kidneys. Also, if retention is not properly managed, the risk of kidney failure worsens.
3. Struggles of UTI (Urinary Tract Infection)
In general, neurogenic bladder patients have a significantly higher risk of developing UTIs because of the failure to empty the bladder optimally, the use of catheters or both. These are painful and uncomfortable infections that, if not treated, can lead to more severe consequences.
4. Adversely Affected Mental Health
Neurogenic bladder causes depression, embarrassment, and physical discomfort, which influences a person’s mental and emotional health.
Unhappiness and decreased self-sufficiency are well-known issues, but more so in those with chronic or severe conditions.
Coping Strategies for Neurogenic Bladder Patients: A Practical Approach
There are several neurogenic bladder types, like atonic bladder, hyper-reflexive, overactive bladder, etc. Though these conditions may not be fully prevented, one can use care strategies to manage them effectively.
1. Inserting Catheters
The most used technique in the treatment of neurogenic bladder is catheterization. People who suffer from urinary retention may benefit from it as a means of regularly emptying the bladder and minimizing infection and kidney damage. Sometimes, indwelling catheters may be used for extended periods.
2. Practicing Bladder Training
For patients with overactive bladder or incontinence, bladder training is quite useful. It includes training in gradually prolonging the time between voiding to allow the bladder to hold more fluid.
One can be trained for it with pelvic floor exercises, including Kegel exercises, to help tone up the muscles that hold the bladder.
3. Using High-quality Incontinence Products
Effective management of neurogenic bladder requires proper use of incontinence products, including adult diapers, pull up diapers or under pads from reputable companies, like Wellness Briefs.
The task of these products is to create maximum absorbent, leak-proof barrier and comfort, allowing patients to feel dignity and confidence while engaging in their daily activities.
These products have a discreet design, which saves the patient from embarrassment, and underpads even keep bedding and furniture safe.
Taking Control of Neurogenic Bladder
Neurogenic bladder can be quite life-altering. The effects of this disease may affect the patient’s mental well-being due to urinary incontinence, urine retention, and UTI.
However, people with this problem can still take charge of their lives. It is possible to manage this condition by effective care measures like catheterization, bladder training, medications, and quality incontinence products.
Hence, by early intervention, a better and more dignified existence is completely achievable regardless of the challenges one may experience due to neurogenic bladder.
