Description Nerve damage which ...
Description
Nerve damage which prevents the correct transmission of messages from the bladder to the brain. For the bladder to work properly, the muscles and nerves must work together to hold urine in the bladder and release it correctly. Nerves carry messages from the bladder to the brain, letting the brain know when the bladder is full. In a neurogenic bladder, the nerves that are supposed to carry these messages malfunction. Some causes include nerve disease such as multiple sclerosis; diabetes, trauma to the brain or spinal cord; and certain infections.
Symptoms
Inability to voluntarily empty the bladder, urinary incontinence, frequent urinary tract infections.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Blood tests and imaging studies to identify the underlying cause. The bladder is examined by filling and determining if it can empty normally.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Urinalysis (UA), Ultrasound
Specialists:
Neurosurgery, Urology, Pediatric Neurosurgery
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Blood tests and imaging studies to identify the underlying cause. The bladder is examined by filling and determining if it can empty normally.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Urinalysis (UA), Ultrasound
Specialists:
Neurosurgery, Urology, Pediatric Neurosurgery
Treatment
When possible, treatment of the underlying condition may help restore bladder function. Other treatments include: medications, an electrical bladder stimulator, intermittent self-insertion of a urinary catheter, an indwelling urinary catheter, surgical placement of catheter into the bladder (called a suprapubic catheter).