Bladder dysfunction - Causes and Symptoms

Definition

Bladder dysfunctions are alterations in the filling or emptying of the bladder, which leads to incontinence or urinary retention. Continence and normal bladder emptying are controlled by neural mechanisms (voluntary and autonomic nervous systems) and muscular mechanisms, thus requiring the functional integrity of the last urinary tract.

Bladder dysfunctions may reflect damage to the central nervous system, spinal cord or nerves that innervate the outer bladder or sphincter or structural and functional changes in the pelvic structures. The problem may also be associated with cognitive or physical decay, as occurs in dementia or after a stroke.

Bladder dysfunctions can be associated with malformative or degenerative diseases of the spinal cord, such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. Also diseases on the ischemic or traumatic basis of bladder structures can contribute to determining urinary incontinence, as in the case of pregnancy and childbirth, which can stretch the sphincter and damage it.

Bladder dysfunctions can be a consequence of urinary tract infections or inflammatory processes (eg urethritis and atrophic vaginitis). In humans, the presence of a prostate in the inflammatory phase or irritative disorders of the lower urinary tract can favor the onset of the problem.

Bladder dysfunctions are usually more severe in obese individuals, due to pressure from the abdominal contents on the bladder. Other causes include urinary stones, surgical lesions, pelvic tumors, diabetes and alcoholism.