If you or a loved one have suffered a stroke, you know that it can be a life-changing event. Not only is there the initial trauma of the stroke itself, but there are often a variety of other issues that arise as a result of the stroke, including changes to the body’s bladder function.
In this post, we’ll be discussing bladder problems that may arise after a stroke, and how your BRAIN and BLADDER stop working together, leading to incontinence, and other issues.
What is Neurogenic Bladder?
Let’s start with the basics. Neurogenic bladder is a condition where your bladder doesn’t function properly because of a problem with your nervous system. This is a common occurrence after a stroke, as the injury to your brain or spine can impact the nerves that control your bladder function.
When your bladder is working correctly, it fills up with urine gradually over time, until it is time to urinate. When you’re ready to go to the bathroom, your brain sends a signal to your bladder to contract and push the urine out. However, when the nerves that control your bladder are damaged, this process can be disrupted, leading to incontinence or other problems.
Read also: How a back or brain injury can permanently change your bladder?! | Types of neurogenic bladder
What Causes Neurogenic Bladder?
There are a variety of reasons why you may develop neurogenic bladder after a stroke. In some cases, the stroke may directly damage the part of the brain that controls the bladder, or it may damage the spinal cord, which can impact the nerves that control bladder function.
However, there are other factors that can contribute to neurogenic bladder as well. For example, if you have other health issues like diabetes or are taking medications that can weaken the muscles that control your bladder, this can also contribute to bladder problems after a stroke.
Some stroke patients may experience urinary retention instead of leakage.
Bladder Function and the Brain
So, how do the brain and bladder work together to control urination? Well, there’s actually a specific part of the brainstem that plays a critical role in bladder function. It’s called the POND Micturition Center, and it’s responsible for coordinating the signals that tell your bladder when to contract and when to relax.
When everything is working correctly, the POND Micturition Center receives signals from the nerves in your bladder that tell it when your bladder is full and needs to be emptied. These signals then trigger the bladder to contract and push out the urine.
However, a stroke can disrupt this process by damaging the part of the brain that controls the POND Micturition Center. This can lead to a variety of bladder problems, including incontinence, retention, and detrusor overactivity, which is characterized by urgency and frequency.
Managing Bladder Problems After Stroke
If you or a loved one are experiencing bladder problems after a stroke, it’s important to work with your healthcare team to develop a management plan. Here are a few strategies that may be helpful:
– Bladder training: This involves gradually increasing the amount of time between bathroom breaks to help your bladder build up more capacity over time.
– Pelvic floor exercises: These exercises can help strengthen the muscles that control your bladder, which can be particularly helpful for those dealing with incontinence.
– Medications: There are a variety of medications that can help manage bladder problems after a stroke, including antimuscarinics, which help reduce bladder contractions, and alpha-blockers, which help improve urine flow.
– Botox injections: In some cases, your healthcare team may recommend Botox injections into the bladder to help reduce detrusor overactivity and incontinence.
– Surgery: In rare cases, surgery may be necessary to manage bladder problems after a stroke, particularly if you are dealing with urinary retention.
Read also: Everything you need to know about botox for overactive bladder
https://renamalikmd.com/botox-for-your-bladder/
The Bottom Line
Bladder problems are a common complication of stroke, but they shouldn’t be ignored. By working with your healthcare team to develop a management plan, you can improve your quality of life and reduce the impact of bladder problems on your day-to-day activities. If you or a loved one are experiencing bladder problems after a stroke, don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
