Urinary Incontinence And The Bladder
Spinal disorders or injuries that cause nerve compression or damage may cause Neurogenic Bladder Disorder also termed Bladder Dysfunction. NBD means the patient has problems with urination. The term neurogenic refers to the nerve tissues that supply and stimulate an organ or muscle to function properly. In the case of NBD, nerves that control the bladder and muscles involved in urination cause the bladder to be overactive or underactive.
NBD symptoms may include:
- Bladder does not completely empty
- Bladder overfills and pressure causes accidental leakage of urine
- Bladder is unable to hold urine
The brain and spinal cord are the central chains of command that transmit signals and messages to and from the bladder. Photo Source: 123RF.com.
Medicine From The Shop Low Back Pain With Urinary Incontinence
There are 2 sort of over the counter pain relievers that often aid with back pain: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and also acetaminophen. Both have some adverse effects, as well as some people may not be able to take them. Talk with your medical professional before taking painkiller And also do not expect medication alone to address your discomfort issue. Researches reveal youll most likely need more than one type of therapy.
Treatment For Pelvic Pain
Modalities used to relax tight muscles, restore joint mobility through the use of heat, massage and muscle re-education techniques.
Exercises Stretching and/or strengthening exercises can be performed to restore normal muscle length and tone as well as gain balanced muscle strength. Postural exercise and instruction will be used in your treatment. Following the exercise program at home is important.
Education very important ingredient in your success. Therefore, materials and resources are made available to you to improve your understanding of the condition and what can be done for it.
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Treatment Options For Utis
Drinking water and cranberry juice are two common recommendations for lower UTIs. However, research has shown the methods to be inconclusive. Extra liquids make urination easier but do not treat the root cause. Speaking with a doctor is the first step. Doctors will then prescribe antibiotics. As bacteria could stay in the cells of the bladder, removing the infection can be difficult. However, when caught early, antibiotics can be effective.
Conditions That May Be Confused With A Uti
Smelly and dark urine without any other symptoms should not be confused with a urinary tract infection. Actually, some people have friendly bacteria in the bladder these bacteria may show no symptoms except for smelly urine. This is a harmless condition that should not be treated with antibiotics.
Not drinking enough water can also cause dark, cloudy and smelly urine. So, make sure that your loved one gets enough to drink.
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Symptoms Of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Typically, we associate the following symptoms with spinal stenosis in the lumbar, or lower back, area:
- Pain in the lower back
- Numbness in the legs or feet
- Tingling in the legs or feet
- A weakness or feeling that the legs may not be able to support standing
- Sciatica symptoms of a searing pain that runs from the buttocks and then down one leg or the other
- Noticeable difference in the level of pain experienced while standing or walking and then what is felt when the individual sits down
- Pain level decreasing when an individual leans or bends forward
The reason that bladder issues belong on the list of symptoms associated with lumbar stenosis is that the nerves at the lower end of the lumbar region branch out into the peripheral nervous system, which is where bladder function and sensation are controlled. Compression of these nerves due to lumbar stenosis can lead to neurogenic bladder dysfunction and present as urinary issues such as frequency, urgency and lack of control.
Pain and the other symptoms that are normally associated with lower back issues are difficult enough to deal with. When incontinence or any other sort of urinary issue is added, many people allow their quality of life to be severely impacted due to embarrassment. This makes it even more important to visit a healthcare professional as soon as symptoms are noticed.
Loss Of Bladder Control
Nerves in the bladder send messages to the brain telling it that your bladder is full. The brain then sends signals to your bladder instructing the muscles that control the release of urine to relax. Disruption of these signals can result in urinary incontinence, bladder pain, and lower abdominal pain. In some cases, abdominal pain from bladder or kidney infections caused by nerve compression can move into your lower back.
If a compressed spinal nerve causes you to lose the sensation that signals the need to urinate, your bladder can become distended. In fact, urine retention can cause all kinds of problems if your bladder becomes too full. You can develop kidney or bladder infections, or even kidney damage from the pressure that urine backing up from the bladder to the kidneys can cause.
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Loss Of Bowel Control
Bowel incontinence the inability to control bowel movements can occur when you are unaware that your rectum is full. If you cant feel the sensation that you need to empty the bowel, you may pass stool without knowing it.
Sometimes a bulge in an intervertebral disc in the lower back irritates a nerve. When this happens, bladder and/or bowel dysfunction can occur along with pain depending on which nerve a herniated disc irritates.
How Do You Get A Urinary Tract Infection
Because of the differences in anatomy, women are much more likely to get UTI than men. The opening of a womans urethra is located in close proximity to her vagina and anus which can both be potential sources of infection. The female anatomy creates more opportunities for fungi and bacteria to enter the urinary tract through the urethra. In addition, the length of the female urethra is shorter than a males, allowing an infection to spread more quickly from the urethra to the bladder and on up through the urinary tract.
Beyond anatomical differences, sexual activity and menopause also make women more vulnerable to UTIs than men. Sexual intercourse increases the potential for fungi and bacteria to enter a womans urethra. Frequent intercourse and intercourse with multiple partners increase the potential for infection even more. 80% of pre-menopausal women with UTI report having had sexual intercourse within the previous 24 hours. Post-menopausal womens bodies produce lower levels of estrogen than pre-menopausal women. Estrogen may be helpful in preventing the overgrowth of E. coli bacteria in the urethra and vagina. As a womans estrogen levels decrease, E. coli may be allowed to grow unchecked and cause an infection.
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Cauda Equina Syndrome And Incontinence
Cauda equina syndrome is a condition that causes squeezing or compression in the cauda equina sac of nerves at the base of the spinal cord, resulting in lower back pain and urinary incontinence. As the nerves are pinched, they are unable to properly function and may result in the involuntary loss of urine.
Cauda equina symptoms include weakness in the legs, numbness or tingling in the lower back and legs, and incontinence.
In some cases, cauda equina can be treated by surgically decompressing the spine, depending on the extent of damage involved with the nerve tissue.
Signs Your Back Pain May Be Something More Serious
Back pain is a common problem, affecting 80 percent of people at some point in their lives. But not everyone’s discomfort is the same and some signs and symptoms are more troubling than others.
Garden-variety back pain is often the result of a strain, which occurs when muscles or tendons in the back are overworked. Such small injuries account for a majority of cases of back-related discomfort.
Back pain that’s severe or persists for several weeks, on the other hand, should be evaluated by a doctor. Back pain that crops up with other symptoms such as bowel or bladder problems or progressive neurological changes, like sudden or severe headaches or vision problems also require immediate attention.
Here are some insights on which types of back pain and related symptoms may be indicators of significant spinal conditions that require medical attention.
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Burning Sensation You May Have A Uti
A urinary tract infection or UTI happens in millions of Americans each year. A UTI can cause pain during urination and more commonly affects women. Several signs show the severity of the infection. These include intense back pain. Understanding whats happening during a UTI can help people get the right treatment right away.
Take The Signs Seriously
UTIs can happen at almost any age in women and at an elderly age in men. Researchers are still searching for the root cause. Until then, take preventative measures to reduce the chances of the condition. For people suspecting a UTI, seek help from a doctor. If the symptoms evolve into back pain, the kidneys are infected. At that point, get medical treatment immediately.
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Causes Of Urinary Incontinence
Stress incontinence is usually the result of the weakening of or damage to the muscles used to prevent urination, such as the pelvic floor muscles and the urethral sphincter.
Urge incontinence is usually the result of overactivity of the detrusor muscles, which control the bladder.
Overflow incontinence is often caused by an obstruction or blockage in your bladder, which prevents it from emptying fully.
Total incontinence may be caused by a problem with the bladder from birth, a spinal injury, or a small, tunnel like hole that can form between the bladder and a nearby area .
Certain things can increase the chances of urinary incontinence, including:
- pregnancy and vaginal birth
How Do You Fix Cauda Equina Syndrome
New cauda equina syndrome is an emergency. If your healthcare provider determines that you have this condition, youll likely go into surgery within 24 hours. Surgery will move whatever is compressing your nerve roots so they can heal. The type of surgery is called a lumbar laminectomy.
Some medications can improve your bowel and bladder control. They include:
- Hyoscyamine .
- Oxybutynin .
- Tolterodine .
You may need to see a physical therapist and occupational therapist. Your physical therapist can help you regain your strength after surgery, and an occupational therapist can help you with everyday activities.
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How Do I Get Cauda Equina Syndrome
There are a number of reasons why the nerve roots that make up the cauda equina could get compressed, including:
- Weakness or paralysis in your lower extremities.
You might experience more symptoms in addition to the red flags. They include:
- Burning, prickling, tingling or numbness in the lower limbs .
- Reflexes issues.
See your healthcare provider if you have these symptoms. You might be tested for cauda equina syndrome and sent to a neurosurgeon or orthopedic spine surgeon. Surgery may help you by stopping additional damage to your nerves.
Treatment For Lower Back Pain And Frequent Urination
Treatment for lower back pain thats accompanied by frequent urination is largely dependent on the cause. For example, antibiotics may be prescribed when an infection is present, and exercise may be recommended if weight loss is necessary or to strengthen the back muscles. Your doctor may also remove any abnormal tumors, abscesses, or growths.
Some causes of lower back pain and frequent urination arent preventable, but you can try and lower your risk by controlling factors that are. Regularly exercising, taking the necessary precautions or reducing your risk of urinary tract infections, and drinking plenty of water to flush out bacteria and toxins are all good tips for prevention.
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Common Causes Of Back Pain
The back undergoes a lot of wear and tear due to twisting, lifting, and supporting a personâs body weight.
There are many possible causes of back pain. They may occur at the same time as urinary incontinence, though the two symptoms are not always related.
Some
When incontinence and back pain arise due to a single underlying condition, they are not usually symptoms that a person can treat at home.
However, a person can try the following steps to try to improve their symptoms:
- Avoid substances that worsen incontinence. These include caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages.
- Try nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . These include ibuprofen and naproxen. NSAIDs can help relieve pain and reduce the inflammation that can lead to discomfort.
- Apply a cloth-covered ice pack to the back for 10 minutes at a time. This can help relieve irritation and swelling that can cause back pain and discomfort.
- Avoid smoking. Smoking is a known risk factor for incontinence and can also contribute to the development of conditions that cause back pain.
A person can also review the medications they currently take with their doctor. However, they should not stop taking any medications without a doctorâs approval.
If someone has a herniated disk, there are several exercises that may help relieve pain. Gentle activities, such as swimming and yoga, can also be beneficial.
What Can I Do To Control Frequent Urination
There are several lifestyle changes and non-medicated ways to manage your frequent urination. These can include:
- Avoiding drinking fluids before going to bed.
- Limiting the amount of alcohol and caffeine you drink.
- Doing Kegel exercises to build up strength in your pelvic floor. These muscles support the organs in the pelvis, including your bladder. Kegel exercises are often prescribed to women after childbirth because of the stress having a baby places on the pelvic floor muscles.
- Wearing a protective pad or underwear to avoid leaks. This is a short-term solution that can help you keep living your life while your condition is being treated.
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The Effects Of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation On Urinary Incontinence In Patients With Low Back Pain And Radiculopathy: A Retrospective Case Series Report
- Mohsen Khamessipour1 and Michael Hall2*
- 1 Department Of Chiropractic Clinical Neurology, Research And Science Committee, IRCA, Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic Of
- 2 Department Of Clinical Neurology And Clinical Sciences, Parker University, Dallas, Texas, United States
*Corresponding Author:
Tel:Received DateAccepted DateDOI:
How Can I Prevent Back Pain And Frequent Urination
Some causes of back pain and frequent urination arent preventable. But you can minimize your risk for certain conditions and health concerns. For example, you can decrease your risks for urinary tract infections by wiping front to back after you use the bathroom. Drinking plenty of water can help flush bacteria through your body. Also, if you have a history of stones in the urinary tract, your doctor can help you identify foods and beverages in your diet as well as certain medications that may be contributing to stone formation.
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Comparison Between Canadian Men And Women
Odds ratios and 95% CI values for the associations among back problems, BMI, age, smoking habits, and UI among Canadians are presented in Table . Among adult Canadians, those with a diagnosis of UI were significantly more likely to also have been diagnosed with back problems . Men were slightly less likely to have a diagnosis of back problems than were women. In the fully adjusted model, both a diagnosis of UI and sex maintained their association with back problems being overweight or obese, increasing age, and smoking were all significantly associated with a diagnosis of back problems.
Can Back Pain And Incontinence Be The Result Of Another Condition
Though rare, one disorder that could cause back pain and UI is cauda equina syndrome . CES affects the bundle of nerve roots at the end of your spinal cord. These nerve roots send and receive signals from your brain and control the lower half of your body and your pelvic organs.
When the nerve roots are compressed, the pressure cuts off sensation and control. The nerves that control your bladder and bowels are particularly susceptible to the loss of control caused by this disorder.
A ruptured disc may also put pressure on the nerve roots. This disc and the pressure on the nerve roots can lead to back pain.
And, a form of arthritis called ankylosing spondylitis may cause back pain. This condition causes inflammation in your spinal joints. The inflammation can lead to discomfort and chronic severe pain.
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What Is The Treatment For Cauda Equina Syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency. Compression of the spinal nerves of the spinal cord can lead to permanent dysfunction of the lower extremities, bladder, and bowels. Once the precise cause of cauda equina syndrome is determined , generally aggressive operative intervention with surgical decompression is initiated. If infection is present, antibiotics are given, usually intravenously. If a tumor is responsible for compression, after surgical decompression, radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be needed.
The long-term management of cauda equina syndrome depends on whether or not there are persisting symptoms after surgical decompression of the irritated nerve tissue. This can require pain medicine, physical therapy, supportive braces, urinary catheters, and other treatments etc. until optimal nerve and muscle recovery occurs.
Stiffness In The Morning
Its not always easy to get out of bed, but excessive morning back pain and stiffness could be a sign of spinal arthritis. Most types of arthritis including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis cause pain and stiffness that worsen toward the end of the day and after periods of rest, like a night’s sleep.
Any part of the spine can become arthritic, but the lower back , is most commonly affected. Thankfully, there are ways to manage the condition. Once diagnosed using a physical exam and x-ray imaging, spinal arthritis can be treated with pain medication and physical therapy. Surgery is needed in rare cases.
Protect yourself before it’s too late. Getting regular exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, practicing good posture and doing your best to avoid spinal injury all decrease your risk for spinal arthritis and other back-related issues.
Persistent back pain is not uncommon, but it shouldnt be ignored. See your doctor if you experience any of these troubling signs.
This content originally appeared on Sharecare.com.
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