About this topic
Your kidneys make urine. It is stored in your bladder. The urethra is a tube at the bottom of the bladder. Urine flows out of this tube. The bladder holds urine before it is released from the body. Bladder spasms happen when your bladder muscle squeezes suddenly. This makes you feel a sudden need to pass urine. You may not be able to control your urine and leaking may happen. ‚
What are the causes?
Your brain and bladder must work together. This will let you store and empty urine normally. You may have problems with either one of them. Sometimes, the doctor cannot find a reason for your bladder spasms. You may have: ‚
- Bladder infection
- Drug side effects
- Bladder stones, polyps, or cancer
- Other health problems
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Older age
- People who have had surgery on their belly
- Injury in the bladder
- Women who are pregnant or who just had a baby
- Women getting closer to menopause or women with menopause
- Men with a large prostate
What are the main signs?
- Leaking of urine
- Sudden and urgent need to pass urine
- Passing urine more than 8 times a day
- Wetting the bed
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your doctor will do an exam. Women will have a pelvic exam. Men will have a genital exam. ‚
Your doctor may order: ‚
- Cystoscopy
- Wearing a pad in your underwear while you exercise. Then, the pad is weighed to see how much urine has leaked. This is a pad test.
- Ultrasound
- Urine tests
- X-ray
- Electromyelogram (EMG)
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
Your doctor may suggest treatment if it is hard for you to do things at home or work. This may include: ‚
- Drugs
- Bladder exercises
- Treating other health problems, like infection and bladder stones
Surgery may be needed if: ‚
- You have a very bad bladder problem
- You have too many bladder spasms
- Your bladder holds too much or not enough urine between the times you go to the bathroom
- Other organs, like the uterus or prostate, are causing problems
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- You may need to set a schedule for your bladder exercises.
- A special kind of electric test might be done to check how you are doing your bladder exercises. This is called biofeedback.
- Be sure to ask your doctor before you start any new exercise.
- Do not use bubble baths because they can bother your bladder or genital area.
- Lose weight if you are overweight.
- Change what you drink and how often.
- Drink lots of water during the day instead of lots of water at one time.
- Stop drinking water or other drinks about 2 hours before you go to bed.
- Stop drinking caffeine and beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Avoid spicy, acidic foods, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners.
- Try to avoid hard stools and straining with bowel movements.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Relax your bladder muscles
- Help your bladder work better
What problems could happen?
- Bladder incontinence
- Anxiety
- Urinary tract infection
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
You cannot prevent this health problem. The most common ways to help lower signs is a bladder exercise program. ‚
Where can I learn more?
American Urogynecologic Society ‚
http://www.voicesforpfd.org/p/cm/ld/fid=11 ‚
National Association for Incontinence ‚
http://www.nafc.org/bladder-bowel-health/types-of-incontinence/urge-incontinence/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚