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How To Treat An Irritated Bladder

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Types Of Treatments For Bladder Spasms

Bladder Irritation with Urology Specialist Joan Meaney

Treatment of bladder spasms largely depends on the underlying cause. However, below are four common treatment options that conventional and integrative doctors consider when treating bladder spasms:

  • Lifestyle changes
  • Medications
  • Injection

How do I stop bladder spasms? You can stop bladder spasms by diagnosing and treating their root cause. Common bladder spasm treatments include antispasmodic medication, Kegels, dietary changes, bladder training, and general stress relief.

What Can I Do If I Have Bladder Pain From Foods

Living with bladder irritation can be uncomfortable. But you can take steps to remove irritants from your diet and reduce pain. Avoid foods that irritate your bladder, and remember that water is important. Drinking enough water helps you feel more comfortable after you eat foods that irritate your bladder.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Bladder discomfort can be frustrating and even embarrassing. Conditions like IC can make you feel like you need to pee even after youve already gone to the bathroom, and your bladder can hurt a lot. But you can get help to reduce irritation. Talk to your healthcare provider about your bladder irritation and possible food and drink causes.

What Are The Symptoms Of Interstitial Cystitis

These are the most common symptoms of interstitial cystitis :

  • Frequent urination

  • Urgency with urination

  • Feelings of pressure, pain, and tenderness around the bladder, pelvis, and the area between the anus and vagina or anus and scrotum

  • Pain during sex

  • In men, discomfort or pain in the penis and scrotum

  • In women, symptoms may worsen around their period

Stress may also make symptoms worse, but stress does not cause symptoms.

The symptoms of IC may look like other conditions or medical problems. Always talk with a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

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Using Nerve Stimulation For An Overactive Bladder

If youre finding lifestyle changes and medication cant control your overactive bladder symptoms, your doctor may recommend a slightly more invasive approach for long-term relief.

There is a procedure known as nerve stimulation which involves implanting a small electronic device into the body, almost like a pacemaker, which sits under your skin and sends electrical impulses to the sacral nerve, which plays a significant role in bladder emptying.

The aim of this treatment is to strengthen the supporting muscles of the bladder and leads to better control. At the moment, however, theres no guarantee that this procedure will eradicate all of your overactive bladder symptoms.

Bladder Spasms: Signs Causes Treatments & Prevention

Home Remedies for UTI

Bladder spasms are when the muscles of your bladder contract or tighten. These spasms often trigger an urge to urinate and a burning sensation when you release urine.

Bladder spasms are often used synonymously with overactive bladder . While these are two different conditions, they often happen to be related.

Spasms in your bladder may be a warning sign of urinary tract infection, interstitial cystitis, neurological disease, or simply drinking too much alcohol or caffeine.

Talking with your doctor about bladder spasms may be embarrassing, but it doesnt have to be. I encourage you to speak frankly with your doctor about your situation, and I bet they will treat you with respect. The doctors here at PrimeHealth treat our patients with the utmost respect.

Keep reading to learn all about the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for bladder spasms.

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Make Regular And Controlled Visits

Double void is another approach to dealing with OAB. This technique involves relieving yourself and then, a few minutes later, going again. This deliberate approach to bathroom visits helps you to make sure that after passing urine a second time, your bladder is mostly or completely empty. The main benefit of this approach is that you can avoid having to return to the bathroom just a few minutes after your initial visit, which is both a nuisance and sometimes embarassing.

Supportive Therapies And Treatments

Some people also find the following therapies and supportive treatments helpful:

  • physiotherapy massaging the pelvic floor muscles may help reduce any strain on your bladder
  • bladder retraining where you gradually learn to be able to hold more pee in your bladder before needing to go to the toilet
  • psychological therapy 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

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Causes Of Inflammation Of The Bladder

The urinary system of the body includes the kidneys, ureters, urethra, and bladder, all of which play a role in removing waste from the body. The bladder is a hollow organ situated in the lower abdomen that stores urine it expands when it is being filled, and contracts when urine is being passed. The walls of this sac-like organ become inflamed when an infection kicks in. Three common types of bladder infections that result in bladder inflammation are bacterial cystitis, noninfectious cystitis, and interstitial cystitis.

When Should I Call My Doctor About A Bladder Infection

How To Treat Urinary Irritation Or Infections Naturally

If you experience the symptoms of a bladder infection or urinary tract infection, call your healthcare provider to discuss a treatment plan.

A note from Cleveland Clinic

Bladder infections are common urinary tract infections. You might feel pain and burning when you pee, as well as the urge to pee more frequently than you normally do. If you have these inflammatory symptoms, call your healthcare provider. You should start to feel better after a few days of antibiotic treatment, but its important to finish the entire prescription so the infection doesnt return.

Read Also: How Do I Treat A Bladder Infection At Home

Physical And Neurological Exam

Your health care provider will examine you to look for the cause of your symptoms. In women, the physical exam will likely include your abdomen, the organs in your pelvis, and your rectum. In men, a physical exam will include your abdomen, prostate, and rectum. Your health care provider may also do a neurological exam to rule out any other problems. Patients with IC/BPS may have other mental health and/or anxiety disorders which may be linked to their condition.

What Causes Overactive Bladder

An overactive bladder can be caused by several things, or even a combination of causes. Some possible causes can include:

  • Weak pelvic muscles: Pregnancy and childbirth can cause your pelvic muscles to stretch and weaken. This can cause the bladder to sag out of its normal position. All of these factors can cause leakage.
  • Nerve damage: Sometimes signals are sent to the brain and bladder to empty at the wrong time. Trauma and diseases can cause this to happen. These can include:
  • Pelvic or back surgery.
  • Stroke.
  • Medications, alcohol and caffeine: All of these products can dull the nerves, which affects the signal to the brain. This could result in bladder overflow. Diuretics and caffeine can cause your bladder to fill rapidly and possibly leak.
  • Infection: An infection, like a urinary tract infection , can irritate the bladder nerves and cause the bladder to squeeze without warning.
  • Excess weight: Being overweight places extra pressure on your bladder. This can lead to urge incontinence.
  • Estrogen deficiency after menopause: This hormonal change could contribute to a loss of urine due to urgency. Ask your doctor if vaginal-only estrogen therapy is right for you. This is different from systemic hormone therapy, which is absorbed throughout the body.
  • Often, there may be no specific explanation for why this is occurring.

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    Anticholinergic Drugs For Overactive Bowel

    This particular class of medication is used to control the muscle spasms that lead to overactive bladder. Anticholinergic drugs focus on blocking the nerve signals that typically trigger inopportune bladder contractions, reduce the frequency, and the severity of your urge to urinate.

    There are several anticholinergic drugs to choose from and they all require a doctors prescription. Most people have very favourable reactions to anticholinergics, though there are a few possible side effects which may include dry mouth, constipation, increased heartbeat and/or drowsiness.

    Diagnostics Of The Irritable Bladder Syndrome

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    Diagnosis begins with the study of complaints, the history of life and human disease. The doctor can ask the patient for 3-4 days to fill out a special diary, noting in it the frequency and nature of episodes of urination. It is good, if the patient takes care in advance and will come to the primary consultation with the already available diary.

    What should be noted in this diary:

    • time when the patient felt the urge to urinate and went to the restroom
    • approximate volume of excreted urinary fluid in one episode
    • frequency and incidence of episodes of incontinence
    • when using urological pads – their number
    • volumes of fluid consumed per day .

    When interviewing a patient, the doctor will certainly ask about the presence of neuropathologies, urological and gynecological diseases, and diabetes mellitus. Women are required to specify information about the number and characteristics of the birth, the operations performed, which affected the musculature of the perineum.

    Further, the doctor can prescribe a vaginal examination and a cough test. After that, a number of additional tests and instrumental diagnostics are performed.

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    Possible Causes Of Interstitial Cystitis

    No one knows what causes this condition, although there are many theories about the underlying factors that lead to interstitial cystitis. Some of the most common theories suggest that interstitial cystitis is an autoimmune, hereditary, infectious, or allergic condition, but none of these ideas have been proved.

    Although some of the symptoms of this disease are similar to those of a bacterial infection, medical tests reveal no organisms in the urine and patients do not respond to antibiotic therapy. They do not have a urinary tract infection, but they feel like they do.

    It is interesting that, in recent years, a substance found almost exclusively in the urine of people with interstitial cystitis has been isolated, and named antiproliferative factor because it appears to block the normal growth of cells that line the inside wall of the bladder. Diet

    There is no scientific evidence linking diet to interstitial cystitis, but many doctors and patients find that alcohol, tomatoes, spices, chocolate, caffeinated and citrus beverages, and high-acid foods may contribute to bladder irritation and inflammation. Also, many patients diagnosed with interstitial cystitis feel that smoking makes their symptoms worse.

    What Is Overactive Bladder Syndrome

    Overactive bladder syndrome means that the bladder, which is a bag made of muscle, squeezes suddenly without you having control and when the bladder is not full. OAB syndrome is a common condition where no cause can be found for the repeated and uncontrolled bladder contractions.

    Overactive bladder syndrome is more common in women than in men, so is included in our women’s health information. However, this problem can affect men as well as women.

    OAB syndrome is sometimes called detrusor instability or overactivity or an irritable bladder.

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    What Is The Latest Research On Bladder Pain Syndrome Treatment

    Researchers continue to search for new ways to treat bladder pain. Some current studies focus on:

    • New medicines to treat bladder pain
    • Meditation as a way to control bladder pain
    • The role of genetics in bladder pain
    • Acupuncture treatment

    To learn more about current bladder pain treatment studies, visit ClinicalTrials.gov.

    Syndrome Of Irritated Bladder In A Child

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    The development of irritable bladder syndrome in children is mainly associated with various neurological disorders that can lead to a weakening of control over detrusor activity or an external urinary sphincter when filling the bladder and excreting the urinary fluid.

    Irritable bladder in a child sometimes occurs on the soil of organic damage to the central nervous system, as a result of congenital anomalies, traumatic injuries, tumors and inflammatory processes affecting the spinal column. For example, this happens after the birth of traumatic injuries, with cerebral palsy, a herniated spinal cord, broken development of the sacrum, coccyx, etc. For the development of irritable bladder syndrome such a problem should be associated with incomplete or complete divergence of supraspinal and spinal neurocenters and bladder.

    The syndrome is more often diagnosed in girls: this can be explained by increased estrogen saturation, which affects the sensitivity of the detrusor receptor mechanism.

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    When To See A Gp

    You should see a GP if you have persistent pelvic pain or you notice a change in your usual peeing pattern.

    These symptoms can have a number of causes, so it’s a good idea to get a proper diagnosis.

    The GP can refer you to a hospital specialist like a urologist, a specialist in conditions affecting the urinary system, for further tests, such as a cystoscopy. A cystoscopy is a procedure to examine the inside of the bladder.

    Home Remedies For Irritable Bladder

    There are a few different natural approaches to dealing with an irritable bladder. For example, many people find that pelvic floor exercises are helpful. These are exercises that can strengthen the muscles around the bladder, vagina, and penis. Dietary changes can also help with irritable bladder. Many people find there are certain foods that irritate the bladder. Bladder irritant foods can be different for everyone but tracking food consumption can help a person identify what aggravates them.

    The following foods are common bladder irritants:

    • Alcoholic beverages

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    Weight Loss & Health Improvements To Reduce Your Symptoms

    Studies suggest that losing excess weight can reduce the symptoms of stress incontinence and an overactive bladder.

    What does this mean exactly? If you can lose about 8 percent of your body weight thats typically around 15 to 20 pounds you will likely see remarkable results. In fact, even just a few pounds of weight loss can reduce incontinence episodes by over 25%.

    Aside from all the other health benefits, by losing weight the abdomen will alleviate pressure on all the organs in the area, including the bladder.

    As well as weight loss, getting regular exercise can reduce overactive bowel symptoms. Exercise can help to reduce the strain on your bladder which ultimately means less urine leaks.

    Stopping smoking can also help with OAB problems since the smoke from cigarettes can irritate your bladder. Smoking can also lead to hacking cough a loud, dry cough which can cause further leaks.

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    How Is Bladder Pain Syndrome Treated

    There is no cure for bladder pain syndrome. But your doctor will try different treatments to figure out how to improve your symptoms.

    The first treatment many people try includes steps you can take at home. Sometimes, by changing what you eat, you can make your symptoms go away. But even when symptoms do go away, they may return days or years later.

    If your symptoms do not get better, other treatments your doctor may suggest include:10

    Natural Prevention For Bladder Spasms

    To prevent bladder spasms, you can live a healthy lifestyle and avoid triggers for the underlying causes of bladder spasms. Here are a few tips for maintaining your quality of life and your continence.

    What can you do to prevent bladder spasms? To promote healthy bladder function and prevent bladder spasms, follow these guidelines:

    • Reduce your daily stress
    • Exercise regularly.

    Additionally, for women, wipe from front to back after defecating. This will avoid transferring bacteria to your urethra. Urethral bacteria is how urinary tract infections happen.

    For both men and women, urinate after sex to flush out any bacteria trapped in your urethra. This will help to avoid any UTIs that may trigger bladder spasms.

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    Causes Of The Irritable Bladder Syndrome

    • Causes of neurogenic nature: diseases and disorders affecting the central and peripheral nervous system .
    • Causes not related to neurogenic:
    • Infravesical obstructive condition . Due to this pathological condition, the muscular interlayer of the bladder is hypertrophied. As a result, the energy expenditure of muscle tissue increases, and at the same time the quality of blood circulation decreases: there is a lack of oxygen. Further, denervation occurs, nerve cells die.
    • Age changes. With age, the reducing ability of tissues decreases, blood supply is impaired, atrophic processes occur in urothelium with further denervation.
    • Anatomic features of the vesicoureteral region.
    • Sensory disorders. Such disorders arise as a result of increased secretion from sensitive nerve fibers of peptides , which increase the degree of conduction and excitability of the nerve structures of the bladder. Similar disorders can also occur against the background of intrapuberous atrophic processes, acute or prolonged estrogen deficiency.

    In addition, idiopathic syndrome of irritated bladder is isolated. This term refers to pathology, the causes of which can not be clarified.

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    What Foods And Drinks To Avoid

    First Aid Home Remedy: How to Treat Urinary Tract Infection (Cystitis)

    While you may want to drink less liquid so you dont have to urinate as often, you should still make sure you stay hydrated. More concentrated urine, usually darker in color, can irritate your bladder and cause more frequent urination.

    Other foods and drinks can contribute to OAB symptoms, including:

    • alcohol
    • tea
    • tomato-based foods

    You can test which drinks or foods irritate your bladder by eliminating them from your diet. Then reincorporate them one by one every two to three days at a time. Permanently eliminate the particular food or drink that worsens your symptoms.

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