Treatment of neurogenic bladder syndrome

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Hung - Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Danang International Hospital. With over 36 years of experience in the profession, the doctor has experience in treating endocrine - diabetes and kidney diseases.

Neurogenic bladder syndrome is bladder dysfunction caused by nerve damage. Treating neurogenic bladder as soon as possible to prevent the risk of urinary tract infections leading to kidney failure, which is life-threatening.

Neurogenic bladder is a damage to the nervous system that causes the bladder to function poorly and gradually lose its function over time. At that time, the bladder will not be able to operate the cycle of urine retention and urine dilation in a rhythmic manner. This process can be difficult or overactive, with an inability to coordinate with the bladder's contracting muscles.
The most common cause of neurogenic cystitis in children is birth defects involving the spinal cord. In which, the majority are herniated malformations of the spinal cord - medullary membrane. In addition, neurogenic bladder can be caused by an abnormality in the spine, spina bifida, a tumor in the spinal cord, a tumor in the pelvis, a spinal cord injury or psychological trauma...

Common signs of neurogenic bladder are:
Inability to control urination; Continuous leakage of urine; Urinary retention, urinary frequency, difficulty urinating, dribbling urine; Stagnant urine for a long time can easily lead to urinary tract infections, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, urine reflux from the bladder to the kidneys. If left for a long time, repeated urinary tract infections can lead to kidney failure. Patients should conduct renal ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan, MRI scan and perform tests to evaluate bladder function to diagnose the disease early and take timely treatment measures.

There are many causes of neurogenic bladder disease, including:
Birth defects that directly affect the spinal cord such as: spina bifida, sacral aplasia, spinal abnormalities; Tumor in the pelvis or tumor in the spinal cord; Psychological trauma damage to the spinal cord; Injuries and diseases affecting the nervous system such as: accidents, strokes, spinal surgery, spinal cord injuries, Parkinson's disease; Complications of other diseases such as diabetes, syphilis, polio...

4.1. Principles of treatment Ensure renal function. Minimize complications Ensure quality of life for patients. 4.2. Treatments. Currently there are the following methods :
Psychotherapy Electrostimulation . Internal treatment Surgical treatment Can combine methods depending on the extent of damage.
1/ Psychotherapy : To reduce overactivity of the bladder by will and exercise. Kegel exercises partially help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
2/ Electrical stimulation: with electrodes placed near the nerve to stimulate stimulation like electrical impulses, the brain will receive a signal to the patient to be able to urinate
3/ Internal medicine treatment: Some drugs May reduce or increase muscle contractions that support proper urination
4/ Surgery : intended to reduce urinary incontinence or increase urine output . Insert a urinary catheter to ensure complete urinary drainage.
Currently, there are many treatments for neurogenic bladder syndrome. In particular, clean intermittent catheterization is the method widely used in most patients with this syndrome. This procedure completely empties the bladder by inserting a clean catheter through the bladder urethra and then withdrawing it. Repeat several times a day, every 3-4 hours.
Intermittent clean urinary catheterization has almost no complications, reduces the risk of urinary tract infections and bladder stone formation, helps control urine well, and improves quality of life.