Bladder spasms can be caused by infections, surgery, nervous system disease, diet, or medications. Treatments include medication, dietary changes, and scheduling bathroom trips. Invasive options, such as electrical stimulation or surgery, may be necessary in severe cases.
Common causes of bladder spasms include infections, surgery, nervous system disease, and diet or medications. Patients with bladder spasms experience contractions, as if they need to urinate, at random intervals. The spasms can be painful and can even force the patient to urinate, leading to incontinence. Treatments are available to help people manage the condition. Patients may need to see a urologist to get access to the full range of treatments.
Serious urinary tract infections can cause bladder spasms, especially in patients with a history of bladder and urethral infections. People may also experience painful urination and may have problems with urinary continence. A recent history of pelvic surgery or trauma may be another cause, as can nerve damage connected to the bladder. People with neurological diseases and congenital nervous system conditions sometimes have bladder spasms.
During pregnancy, some women experience bladder spasms due to pressure on the bladder and surrounding structures. Another risk factor can be some medications with spasms as a side effect. Similarly, some foods seem to irritate the bladder and can make it contract, particularly spicy foods. Catheterization, in which a doctor inserts a tube into the bladder for drainage, is another potential cause. Prolonged catheter use can cause infection and random contractions in the bladder, although oddly enough, temporary use of a catheter can also be a treatment for bladder spasms.
People who notice a sudden onset of bladder spasms may want to look into any recent events or lifestyle changes to see if they provide an explanation for the problem. If a patient has just started a new drug or is being treated for a urinary tract infection, she should tell her doctor and get tested.
When a patient goes to the doctor for bladder spasms, the doctor will do a diagnostic evaluation to find out why they are happening and develop a treatment plan. Medications are available to treat spasms immediately by forcing the muscles to relax. People may experience benefits by making dietary changes, switching medications to address side effects, and scheduling trips to the bathroom to keep the bladder well drained.
At times, patients may need to consider more invasive treatment options. If the problem is that the nerves are not firing, electrical stimulation of the nerves can help stop the contractions. Your doctor may install a temporary implant to see if it works, and may offer surgery to implant a permanent device. A neurotomy, in which a surgeon cuts off a damaged nerve to stop it sending signals, is another potential treatment for spasms related to a neurological problem.
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