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Bladder spasms cause involuntary contractions of the bladder, leading to an urge to urinate and incontinence. Causes include neurological problems, infections, and age. Treatment options include medication, electrical stimulation, pelvic floor exercises, and bladder training.
Bladder spasms are involuntary contractions of the bladder that generate an urge to urinate, sometimes accompanied by extreme pain. If the spasms persist, incontinence may develop, as the bladder will expel urine. The resulting stream of urine may be impossible to stop because the patient has no control over their bladder. Many conditions can lead to bladder spasms and should be addressed by a doctor because it may be possible to manage the spasms or address the underlying cause and eliminate them altogether.
When bladder spasms occur, the bladder contracts randomly as if the patient is preparing to urinate. The patient will usually feel as if he needs to urinate and leakage may occur. One of the most common causes of incontinence in the elderly is this condition, and these contractions can also cause incontinence in young children. In some cases, the spasms could be extremely violent, with patients comparing them to severe cramps, such as those associated with childbirth.
Possible causes
People who have neurological problems may develop bladder spasms due to mixed messages being sent to the nerves in the bladder. Stroke victims are also prone to developing involuntary bladder contractions as a result of the brain damage caused by strokes. Bladder infections and chronic conditions affecting the bladder, such as interstitial cystitis, can also lead to spasms. Age is one of the most common risk factors for developing bladder spasms, with people over the age of 60 being more prone to them, but people of any age can experience them.
Treatment options
There are several approaches to treating bladder spasms, depending on the root cause. Some medications can be used to relax the bladder so it can’t contract randomly, and sometimes electrical stimulation is used to route mixed signals from the nerves around the bladder. Some patients have success with acupuncture and other alternative therapies, and others find that doing pelvic floor exercises improves bladder control. Measures such as catheterization could be used to address incontinence on a temporary basis while a doctor treats the spasms.
Bladder training is also an option. In bladder training, people establish a urination schedule, urinating at set times rather than when they feel the need to. The interval between urination can be gradually extended until the patient finds his comfort zone. A urologist can provide additional suggestions and treatment options to patients, depending on the cause of their bladder spasms.
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