Cauda Equina Syndrome & Incontinence
Cauda equina syndrome is a condition that causes squeezing or compression in the cauda equina sac of nerves at the nerve roots or base of the spinal cord, resulting in lower back pain and urinary incontinence. As the nerves are pinched, they cannot 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 nerve tissue damage.
Bladder Cancer: Less Common In Women
Bladder cancer is rare, especially in women. Of the roughly 83,730 new diagnoses each year in the United States, about 19,450 are in women, according to the American Cancer Society . The most common symptom is blood in the urine some women also experience a painful, burning sensation when urinating.
Bladder cancer treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. According to the ACS, most people need surgery to remove a tumor or tumors. All or parts of the bladder are removed in severe cases.
What Are Some Types Of Bladder Management
There are many types bladder management following SCI, each with various advantages and disadvantages. Several of the more common types of bladder management are listed below. It is important to speak with your health care provider to determine which option is best for you.
If you continue to have significant problems affecting your kidneys or bladder or your lifestyle despite non-surgical bladder management options, your doctor might in rare cases suggest a surgical option such as a urinary diversion. For more information on surgical management, see MSKTC factsheet entitled Surgical Alternatives for Bladder Management Following SCI. This factsheet will focus on some of the more common non-surgical options of bladder management.
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A Back Pain You Cant Ignore
An upper UTI can cause intense back pain as the infection reaches the kidneys. People will get pain in the lower back and groin area. Back pain comes with two other symptoms: high fever and vomiting. Upper infections happen when a lower UTI goes unchecked or does not respond to antibiotics. These infections are serious and, in severe cases, need hospitalization. If not managed well, the infection can spread to the renal artery and blood, which is life-threatening.
Symptoms Of Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Pelvic organ prolapse symptoms include:
- a feeling of heaviness around your lower tummy and genitals
- discomfort or numbness during sex
- problems peeing such as feeling like your bladder is not emptying fully, needing to go to the toilet more often, or leaking a small amount of pee when you cough, sneeze or exercise
Sometimes pelvic organ prolapse has no symptoms and is found during an internal examination carried out for another reason, such as cervical screening.
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Spinal Disorders And Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction
Often times spinal disorders associated with injuries that result in nerve damage are linked to Neurogenic Bladder Disorder , which refers to urination issues. Neurogenic is a term for the nerve tissues that stimulate an organ or muscle to properly function.
With NBD the nerves that control the bladder and other muscles involved with urination may cause the bladder to be under or overactive.
When the nerves for bladder sensation or function become irritated, inflamed, or compressed, dysfunctions such as frequent urination, the sudden overwhelming urge to urinate, or involuntarily voiding the bladder may occur.
NBD is commonly caused by spinal cord injuries . Accidents that cause bruising or constrict blood flow along the spinal cord can damage the ability to transmit nerve signals.
Herniated discs, infections, lesions, lumbar tumors, and fractures along the spine can also cause back pain and damage to the spinal nerves leading to bladder dysfunction. These conditions may also cause Cauda Equina Syndrome , a serious medical issue requiring immediate attention.
Supportive Therapies And Treatments
Some people may also find the following therapies and supportive treatments helpful:
- physiotherapy a specialist pelvic floor physiotherapist can help you relax your muscles to ease pain.
- acupuncture may help with pain relief
- talking therapies and counselling to help you cope with your symptoms and their impact on your life
- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation where a small battery-operated device is used to relieve pain by sending electrical impulses into your body
- pain management ask the GP to refer you to a pain specialist
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How Do You Know If A Uti Has Spread To Your Kidneys
Kidney infections usually present with a fever, chills, and back pain.
The main difference between UTI and kidney infection symptoms is:
The most common kidney infection symptoms include:
- Severe flank pain
Kidney back pain is concentrated on the back in between the ribs and hips. Constant dull or severe pain is usually reported. Pain increases with increase fluid intake or if someone presses on your back.
What Is A Urinary Tract Infection
A UTI happens when foreign bacteria enter one or more parts of the urinary system. This includes the bladder, urethra, or kidneys. Because women have a shorter urethra than men, women are more likely to get infected. Some men get UTIs, and risk increases with age. Doctors classify the infections in two ways. A lower UTI affects the urinary tract and bladder. An upper UTI spreads to the kidneys and can be serious if left unchecked.
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What Is The Function Of The Gallbladder
The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ found under the liver that stores bile, a fluid that helps the body break down the fat in foods you eat.
What Are Gallstones?
Gallstones are small stones that form inside the gallbladder that can range in size from tiny specks to up to 6 inches long, as large as the entire gallbladder. Most are smaller than 1-inch.
There are two types of gallstones:
Pain In The Right Side When Breathing
Pain under the right ribs or in the ribs can be due to muscle or bone reasons. In these cases the pains are usually stabbing, intensifying according to the movements that are made. Some of the causes of right rib pain are:
- Inflammation of cartilage in the ribs
Depending on the condition as well as on what level it is, the treatment should be one or the other. However, in those cases in which the pain in the right side is due to trauma or poor movement, recovery can be done with rest and the administration of analgesics to reduce the pain. In depending on which cases it will be necessary to immobilize the area.
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Complications Of Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are an extremely common condition, and most people recover quickly with antibiotic treatment. However, if left untreated the infection can spread throughout the urinary tract system, increasing in severity and causing complications.
In some cases, the infection can reach the kidneys in the upper urinary tract, an infection known as pyelonephritis. Without medical intervention, this can lead to permanent kidney damage. Possible complications from untreated UTIs include:
- Formation of abscesses within or around the kidneys
- Swelling of the kidneys, also known as hydronephrosis
- , also known as blood poisoning
All of these complications are serious and require immediate medical attention.
Back Pain And Bladder Cancer
Pain in the lower back and/or abdomen can sometimes be caused by bladder cancer, and it is more common in patients who are diagnosed with bladder cancer that is advanced or metastatic. The symptom is not usually experienced by patients who are diagnosed with bladder cancer that is considered early stage. The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine that is visible to the eye, which is experienced by around 80% to 90% of patients diagnosed. Between 20% and 30% of patients diagnosed with bladder cancer experience other problems or changes related to urination, such as
- The need to urinate more frequently than usual
- Pain or burning before, during or after urination
- Feeling the urgent need to urinate despite the bladder not being full
- Being unable to urinate
If you experience lower back or abdominal pain as well as any of those symptoms related to urinationand especially if you have ever noticed blood in your urine then you should let your healthcare provider know. If the symptoms are being caused by bladder cancer, then finding it out as soon as possible is important so you can begin treatment.
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What Does The Research Say
Researchers are studying how back pain or back issues may affect or cause incontinence. So far, the research isnt clear. But, a few studies have shed some light into possible connections.
A Brazilian study published in 2015, explored the correlation between lower back pain and UI. However, this study was conducted in a population with an average age of 80. The results werent conclusive, and its possible the advanced age of study participants affected their urinary health.
In a 2015 study of women one year after giving birth, researchers found that back pain and UI are common. This study showed back pain is more common and more likely to interfere with a womans day-to-day life than UI.
Women who were obese, were an advanced maternal age, or had vaginal delivery during childbirth were more likely to experience symptoms of UI. The study found no connection between women who experienced back pain and their episodes of UI.
More research is needed to determine whether there is a substantive link between the two symptoms.
What To Know About Utis And Back Pain
Do UTIs cause back pain? Some people report lower back pain with UTIs. UTIs typically do not cause back pain, and this should be taken seriously.
Pain on the lower side of the back, called flank pain, is a sign of a more serious infection.
Typically UTIs cause lower abdominal pain. The main signs and symptoms of a UTI include:
- A strong, persistent urge to urinate
- A burning sensation while urinating
- Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
- General malaise
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Remedies For Uti Due To Constipation
The infection should be treated with a suitable antibiotic. You should see your doctor and get an antibiotic.
Drinking plenty of water will produce enough urine flow and help clear the infection.
Reducing the acidity of the urine can help control the infection and reduce the symptoms. There are many over the counter preparations available such as Ural, Citralite, and Citravescent.
Want a home remedy? Then try cranberry juice. Studies show that drinking cranberry juice can help prevent UTI. However, cranberry juice is not enough to treat a full-blown bladder infection.
Relieving your constipation is one of the top priorities in the treatment. Taking an over the counter laxative can be a quick fix for your problem.
To get a long term relief, you should eat fiber-rich foods. Alternatively, you can use a fiber supplement such as Metamucil.
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What Is Interstitial Cystitis/bladder Pain Syndrome
Interstitial cystitis /bladder pain syndrome is a chronic bladder health issue. It is a feeling of pain and pressure in the bladder area. Along with this pain are lower urinary tract symptoms which have lasted for more than 6 weeks, without having an infection or other clear causes.
Symptoms range from mild to severe. For some patients the symptoms may come and go, and for others they don’t go away. IC/BPS is not an infection, but it may feel like a bladder infection. Women with IC/BPS may feel pain when having sex. The more severe cases of IC/BPS can affect your life and your loved ones. Some people with IC/BPS have other health issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and other pain syndromes.
The bladder and kidneys are part of the urinary system, the organs in our bodies that make, store, and pass urine. You have 2 kidneys that make urine. Then urine is stored in the bladder. The muscles in the lower part of your abdomen hold your bladder in place.
How the Urinary System Works
What Medications Are Used To Treat Overactive Bladder
As youre retraining your bladder, a healthcare provider may prescribe medication. Medications can help restore normal bladder function. Commonly prescribed medications for overactive bladder include:
Anticholinergic medications
Beta-3 adrenergic medication
Beta-3 adrenergic medications cause the detrusor muscles in your bladder to relax so your bladder can store more pee. A healthcare provider may prescribe:
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How Does Bladder Pain Syndrome Affect Pregnancy
Some women find that their bladder pain symptoms get better during pregnancy. Others find their symptoms get worse. During pregnancy, you need to urinate more often and are at higher risk for urinary tract infections and constipation. This can make symptoms worse for some women. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids, especially water.
If you are thinking about becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor about your bladder pain syndrome and any medicines you might be taking. Some medicines and treatments are not safe to use during pregnancy.
The Cauda Equina And Its Function
The cauda equina gets its name from Latin for horses tail, because the nerves at the end of the spine visually resemble a horses tail as they extend from the spinal cord, through the lumbar spine and over the sacrum, and down the back of each leg.
The cauda equina consists of about 10 pairs of nerve roots, some of which combine to form larger nerves in the lower bodyone example of which is the sciatic nerve.
The cauda equina is responsible for sensory and motor innervation to the pelvis and lower limbs, as well as bowel and bladder function. If the cauda equina is damaged by inflammation or compression in the low back, symptoms may be severe and may develop quickly. Early medical attention and treatment are crucial for making as full a recovery as possible.
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Lower Urinary Tract Infection Symptoms
Common symptoms of a lower urinary tract infection include:
- Frequent and urgent need to urinate
- Burning or painful sensation while urinating
- Strong-smelling urine
- Urine that is bloody and/or cloudy in color
- Lower abdominal pain
Good to know: Lower urinary tract infections present similar symptoms in both men and women. However, men may also experience rectal pain, while women may experience pelvic pain.
Recommendations For Maintaining Ones Back Healthy
Exercise on a regular basis to keep muscular tissues strong and also flexible. Seek advice from a medical professional for a checklist of low-impact, age-appropriate exercises that are specifically targeted to enhancing lower back and stomach muscles.
Preserve a healthy and balanced weight and also eat a nutritious diet with a sufficient daily intake of calcium, phosphorus, and also vitamin D to advertise new bone development.
Use ergonomically created furnishings as well as tools in the house and also at the office. See to it work surfaces are at a comfy elevation.
Change resting placements usually as well as occasionally walk the workplace or carefully stretch muscles to relieve tension. A pillow or rolled-up towel positioned behind the small of the back can give some lumbar assistance. Put your feet on a low feces or a stack of publications when sitting for a long time.
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Chill It Does Bladder Prolapse Cause Lower Back Pain
Ice is best in the initial 24 to 2 days after an injury since it decreases inflammation. Even though the heat feels good since it assists hide the pain and also it does assist kick back the muscle mass, the warm actually irritates the inflammatory processes. After 2 days, you can switch over to warm if you prefer. Whether you make use of warmth or ice take it off after around 20 mins to give your skin a remainder. If pain persists, talk with a physician.
How To Avoid Lower Back Pain
Back pain can occur because of a bad move, overloading, etc. It can be interesting to take a few minutes to analyze pain:
- Does it appear in the morning? During the night? In the evening, after a long workday?
- Is it caused by a particular move? A special posture?
- Is it improved by massage? Heat? Stretching?
These indications will help you identify what causes the pain and what relieves it.
In any case, the back likes and has to move! But be careful not to do painful movements, because the worst is not moving, being immobilized. Lets not forget that the word physiotherapist comes from the old Greek and means heal by movement.
Sports we recommend are soft sports like walking, swimming, gym, and you can try yoga or pilates as well.
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