Correct understanding of neurogenic bladder syndrome

Neurogenic bladder is a condition in which the bladder loses function due to damage to part of the nervous system. However, not everyone knows about this disease. Proper understanding of neurogenic bladder syndrome will help patients recognize and treat as soon as possible.

As a hollow spherical organ, the bladder functions to store and expel urine. Any condition that impairs the bladder and bladder outlet can lead to neurogenic bladder. 

What is neurogenic bladder?

Typically, an individual's urinary cycle will include storage and expulsion in a coordinated and controlled manner. The bladder will hold urine at low pressure. When the two types of muscles relax together, the elasticity of the bladder wall triggers the organ to relax under that low pressure. At the same time, the muscles will tighten just enough to prevent urine from leaking out.

The central and peripheral nervous systems regulate this coordinated activity in the bladder. When a signal to urinate is transmitted from the brain, the sphincter relaxes and the bladder will proceed to empty the urine. This abnormal activity will lead to bladder dysfunction.

Neurogenic bladder is a term that refers to this organ's loss of function due to neurological effects

Neurogenic bladder is the term used to describe a syndrome that causes loss of function of the bladder due to damage to part of the nervous system (not formed from the bladder or urethral system). The disease can cause the bladder to function poorly, unable to contract to completely expel urine. In the opposite case, the bladder will be overactive, often contracting, and no longer able to coordinate with the bladder contraction muscles.

According to statistics of the world medical organizations, if not detected and treated promptly, neurogenic bladder syndrome is the leading cause of kidney failure .

Causes of neurogenic bladder syndrome

Causes of neurogenic bladder syndrome include birth defects that affect the spinal cord as well as bladder function. May be mentioned as:

  • Sacral aplasia, spina bifida or other spinal abnormalities;
  • Congenital malformations of the spine;
  • Tumor exists in the pelvis or spinal cord;
  • Central nervous system tumors;
  • Trauma, spinal cord injury;
  • Pathologies affecting the nervous system such as: stroke, after an accident, spine surgery...;
  • Parkinson's disease ;
  • Heavy metal poisoning;
  • Complications of diseases such as diabetes, syphilis and polio.

Neurogenic bladder syndrome can have many causes

Neurogenic bladder symptoms

People with neurogenic bladder syndrome often lose the ability to control urination, also known as urinary incontinence. The most recognizable neurogenic bladder symptoms are:

  • Urine drip;
  • Diarrhea, difficulty urinating;
  • urinary retention;
  • Urinary retention;
  • Increased chance of urinary tract infection or urinary tract infection ;
  • Hydronephrosis;
  • Always feel like you haven't finished urinating completely.

When the bladder muscle relaxes to store urine and loses the ability to relax the urethral sphincter or can no longer coordinate with the relaxation of the urethral sphincter, bladder pressure increases. This condition means an increased risk of pyelonephritis, urinary tract infections and kidney damage. In addition, patients with neurogenic bladder are also likely to have ureteral stones.

Diagnosis of neurogenic bladder

Some of the techniques used to diagnose neurogenic bladder include:

  • Measure residual urine volume;
  • uroflow chart;
  • Measure bladder pressure (cystometrogram);
  • X-ray of urethra, bladder;
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI);
  • Electromyography (EMG);
  • Cystoscopy;
  • Video urodynamics (video urodynamics).

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is one of the methods to identify neurogenic bladder

How to cure neurogenic bladder disease?

The principles of treatment

  • Ensure kidney function;
  • Minimize complications;
  • Ensuring quality of life for patients with neurogenic bladder;
  • For pediatric patients, it is necessary to ensure that the patient can live independently as an adult.

Methods of treating neurogenic bladder disease

Neurogenic bladder treatments include:

Psychotherapy

A combination of willpower and exercise can reduce bladder overactivity. Patients will be instructed to keep a diary of "excretion" to understand the time, amount of fluid intake as well as the frequency of urination. From there, it is possible to determine the time to prepare to urinate. 

Besides, Kegel exercises also become part of therapy aimed at strengthening pelvic floor muscles.

Electrical stimulation therapy

With this method, electrodes will be placed near the nerve to cause stimulation similar to the electrical impulses that would be transmitted by normal nerves if they were not damaged. At that time, the brain will send a signal to empty the bladder so that the patient can urinate.

Use medicine to treat

There is no cure for neurogenic bladder, but there are some medications that can strengthen or relieve muscle contractions. From there, assist in proper bladder emptying.

Surgery

The doctor will insert an artificial sphincter into the urethra to prevent urine leakage. This device can manually release urine to empty the bladder. In addition, there is a minor bladder reconstruction surgery. Depending on the patient's condition, the doctor will consider the best and most appropriate measures to treat neurogenic bladder.

Catheterization

The treating physician may recommend catheterization to ensure complete bladder emptying. Patients will be prescribed low doses of antibiotics to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.

Correct understanding of neurogenic bladder syndrome

Depending on the patient's condition, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment

In some cases, depending on the symptoms and extent of nerve damage, a combination of treatments may be required.

Neurogenic bladder is a syndrome that greatly affects the quality of life of patients. This includes discomfort and inconvenience caused by urinary disorders. In order to properly determine the disease status and definitively treat neurogenic bladder, soon return to normal life, patients should visit a reputable hospital. At the same time, it is necessary to actively control to reduce the risk of damage to the bladder and kidneys.


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