Are you experiencing episodes of a randomly sudden urge to urinate to such a degree that it causes “impossible to stop” urination leaks? This health condition is known as urge incontinence and the cause for your inability to hold back urine is bladder spasms.
A bladder spasm is a violently random contraction of your bladder. Bladder spasms often cause urge incontinence because they force out any retained urine. Urge incontinence is a suddenly strong need to urinate with an involuntary loss of urine, which may be accompanied by extreme cramping pain. And the initiation of a bladder spasm is not contingent on the amount of urine in your bladder.
A number of health conditions can be the originating cause for your bladder to spasm, such as:
- diet
- bladder stones
- bladder cancer
- cystitis, interstitial cystitis
- benign prostatic hypertrophy
- infection ~ UTI, bladder infection
- weakened pelvic muscles ~ pregnancy, childbirth
- neurogenic bladder ~ neurological disorder, nerve damage
- surgery ~ bladder, hysterectomy, C-section, prostrate removal
- drug side effect ~ bethanechol (treats urinary retention), diuretics, valrubicin (chemo drug)
The most frequent cause of bladder spasms causing urge incontinence is urinary tract infections. A couple of symptoms indicating you may be suffering with this health condition are:
Or these nervous system disorders or nerve injury related conditions may be the cause for your bladder to spasm as well:
- brain tumor
- herniated disc
- cerebral palsy
- spinal cord injury
- multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- pelvic, back surgery
- radiation treatment
- stroke caused brain damage
- herpes infection affecting sacrum nerves
- multiple system atrophy (aka Shy-Drager syndrome)
- diabetic neuropathy ~ nerve damage caused by diabetes
Or even foods commonly consumed in your diet can cause bladder irritation, leading to urge incontinence. Spicy, acidic, citrus and certain food preservatives or additives tend to be bladder spasm instigators, for instance:
- spices
- alcohol
- tomatoes
- chocolate
- pickled foods
- artificial sweeteners
- oranges, orange juice
- caffeine drinks ~ soda, coffee, tea
Urge incontinence more commonly occurs in women and elderly folks.
Bladder spasm urge incontinence treatment involves several options depending on your cause. And antibiotics are given if your bladder spasms are caused by a bacterial infection.
One course of treatment for urge incontinence is drugs that target bladder muscles. Anticholinergic drugs may be prescribed in an effort to relax your spasmodic muscles, but they may cause dry mouth and constipation. Antidepressants, like imipramine and doxepin, may help with a spasm because of their paralyzing effect on your bladder’s smooth muscle, yet you may encounter some other unpleasant side effects, like:
Other bladder spasm treatments to relieve urge incontinence include electrical stimulation, Kegel exercises and biofeedback.
And do drink plenty of water, just not a huge amount all at once. Instead, spread your consumption out by sipping throughout the day.