About this topic
The bladder is a muscular organ that stores and drains urine. Our brain controls how the bladder works. If the brain is hurt, it affects the bladder. Losing control of how your bladder works means you have a neurogenic bladder. Your bladder may continue to store urine, even when it is already full. When this happens, urine will start to leak out even when you dont want it to. ‚
Treatment for this illness may include drugs or surgery. You may also need to learn how to use a catheter or tube to drain urine from your bladder. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor may ask you to keep track of your fluids and when you pass urine. This record will help you learn when you should go to the bathroom. It should include:
- The amount of fluid you drink
- Time when you drank fluids
- When and how many times you pass urine
- If urine leaks out
- Take your time when passing urine. Do not rush things.
- Do Kegel exercises. Ask your doctor about how to do these exercises. Doing them will help make the muscles of your bladder and bowel stronger.
- Your doctor will work with you to make sure your bladder is drained. You may:
- Have a tube that stays in your bladder to drain the urine. You may wash it with mild soap and water to keep it clean.
- Drain your urine bag when it is half full. Wash your hands before and after draining your urine bag.
- Put a tube in your bladder to drain your urine. You may need to do this 4 to 5 times each day.
- Have an electrical stimulator. Check your skin for redness, swelling, or soreness of your skin over the stimulator. Keep the outer controllers, cables, and attachments dry. Make sure you know how to change the battery.
What follow-up care is needed?
- Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
- You may need to have your catheter changed each month.
- Your doctor may send you to a physical therapist or a rehab center for pelvic muscle exercises.
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Increase the strength around the opening where the urine comes out. This is the urethra.
- Stop uncontrolled bladder squeezing or spasms
- Relax bladder muscles
- Prevent or fight an infection
Will physical activity be limited?
You may have to limit your activity. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Stay away from drinks with caffeine like coffee, tea, chocolate, and sodas.
- Avoid fizzy drinks like citrus fruit drinks and acidic juices.
- Limit your fluids after dinner and before going to bed.
- Stay away from these foods:
- Spicy foods
- Citrus fruits
- Chocolate snacks
- Spices like mustard, curry, and chili pepper
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Urine leaking
- Skin problems
- Bladder stones
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- When doing risky sports, prevent spine injury by wearing proper gear and clothing.
- Get proper treatment and control your sugar intake if you have diabetes. Take your drugs as ordered by your doctor.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain passing urine.
- Pain in your sides or lower back
- Bloody urine
- No urine for more than 6 hours
- Problems with your electrical stimulator
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how I will keep track of my fluids.
- I can tell you how to care for my catheter or electrical stimulator.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, pain, bloody urine, or no urine for more than 6 hours.
Where can I learn more?
American Urological Association Foundation ‚
http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=9 ‚
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. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚