Neurogenic Bladder
Medical conditions that impair, reduce or stop nerve function in the bladder can result in neurogenic bladder, including stroke, spinal injury, ALS, diabetes, alcoholism, B12 deficiency, herniated disks, Parkinson’s, MS and syphilis. Some patients have a flaccid hypotonic bladder where the volume of urine is large but contractions are missing. Often occurring after spinal cord injury between S2 and S4, there may be improvement after a period of time. Their dominant symptom is dribbling of urine and/or incontinence.
Other patients struggle with a spasming bladder where the volume is quite low and involuntary bladder contractions occur. They, too, may struggle with urine leakage as well as urgency and incomplete emptying. This can occur from brain damage or spinal cord damage above T12. Still other patients rotate between a flaccid vs. spasming bladder. This is often seen in MS and ALS patients, diabetes, brain or spinal cord turbos and syphilis. A diagnosis is based on a lack of bladder emptying as well as variety of tests (cystography, cystoscopy and cystometrography). A variety of therapies are available.
Helpful Links
- Shenot P. Neurogenic Bladder. MERCK MANUAL Professional Version. July 2018 – https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary-disorders/voiding-disorders/neurogenic-bladder