Atonic bladder is a condition where the bladder is dilated but does not empty properly due to an obstruction or disturbance to the organ’s natural innervation. It can cause pain and discomfort and is commonly seen in neurological disorders. Treatment options include catheterization, applying pressure to the bladder, and surgery. Scientists are researching other treatments such as injections to trigger the bladder’s natural function.
Atonic bladders are large bladders that have dilated but do not empty properly. The origin of this type of bladder malfunction often has to do with an obstruction or disturbance to the organ’s natural innervation. As the ability to urinate is impaired, an individual suffering from atonic bladder will experience a lot of pain.
Sometimes referred to as a flaccid bladder, the condition can develop when some other ongoing health problem impairs the ability of the nerves in the bladder to transmit the correct signals to the brain. This inability of the nerves to signal to the brain causes urine to pool in the bladder. The result is a distended bladder that creates considerable discomfort.
Numerous conditions can cause urine retention and atonic bladder. Atonic bladder is most commonly seen in neurological disorders, but the cause can also be due to minor health problems, such as a urinary tract infection. Some examples of other causes of the condition include, but are not limited to, prostatic hypertrophy, cancer, urethral hypermobility, and neurological dysfunction. In the event of some type of spinal cord damage, the ability of the nerves in the bladder to signal properly can be impaired.
There is also the possibility of developing an atonic bladder due to some type of obstruction. For men, an enlarged prostate can put pressure on the urinary system, making it nearly impossible for the man to urinate. The presence of tumors in the area can also limit the bladder’s ability to function properly.
Regardless of the root cause of the problem, it’s important to seek medical help when your bladder becomes blocked. After identifying the reason for the atonic bladder, doctors may employ several methods to relieve the pressure and allow urine to pass. Catheterization is one solution. This may involve treatment at a medical facility or learning to use a catheter at home.
When a catheter is not an option, other treatments for a flaccid bladder may be employed. Most of them involve applying pressure to the bladder, effectively forcing urine out. These many involve manually applying external pressure to the organ region or learning to use the abdominal muscles to force the expulsion of stored urine.
In general, surgery is only considered an option after other treatments have failed. In some cases, the size of the bladder has increased, allowing you to function for longer periods between catheterization sessions. Other methods alter the bladder to facilitate self-catheterization, allowing the patient to manage the bladder problem at home.
Scientists continue research into other treatments for atonic bladder. These include developing injections that can help trigger the bladder’s natural function, producing the same result as if the nerves in the bladder had been communicating properly with the brain.
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