Neurogenic Bladder

Definition

Neurogenic bladder is a condition where the normal function of the bladder is impaired due to a neurological disorder or injury that affects the nerves responsible for bladder control. This term is particularly relevant in the context of topics 35.2 Urinary Antispasmodics, Antimuscarinics, and Anticholinergics, as well as 35.4 Urinary Stimulants, as these pharmacological agents are often used to manage the symptoms and complications associated with neurogenic bladder.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Neurogenic bladder can be caused by various neurological conditions, such as spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and diabetic neuropathy.
2. The impaired bladder function in neurogenic bladder can lead to incomplete emptying, increased residual urine, and an overactive or underactive detrusor muscle.
3. Neurogenic bladder is often associated with an increased risk of urinary tract infections, kidney damage, and other complications if left untreated.
4. Urinary antispasmodics, antimuscarinics, and anticholinergics are commonly used to manage the symptoms of neurogenic bladder by relaxing the detrusor muscle and improving bladder capacity.
5. Urinary stimulants, such as cholinergic agents, may be used to enhance bladder contraction and improve emptying in cases of an underactive detrusor muscle.

Review Questions

• Explain how the autonomic nervous system plays a role in the pathophysiology of neurogenic bladder.
  • The autonomic nervous system, which includes the sympathetic and parasympathetic divisions, is responsible for regulating the function of the bladder. In neurogenic bladder, damage or dysfunction of the nerves that control the bladder, either in the central nervous system or the peripheral nervous system, can lead to impaired bladder filling, storage, and emptying. This disruption of the normal neural control mechanisms results in the characteristic symptoms and complications associated with neurogenic bladder, such as urinary incontinence, incomplete bladder emptying, and an increased risk of urinary tract infections.
• Describe how urinary antispasmodics, antimuscarinics, and anticholinergics can be used to manage the symptoms of neurogenic bladder.
  • Urinary antispasmodics, antimuscarinics, and anticholinergics are pharmacological agents that target the muscarinic receptors in the detrusor muscle of the bladder. In neurogenic bladder, where the detrusor muscle may be overactive, these medications can help relax the bladder muscle, increase bladder capacity, and reduce involuntary contractions, thereby improving symptoms like urinary incontinence and incomplete emptying. By modulating the cholinergic pathways that regulate bladder function, these drugs can help restore a more normal pattern of bladder filling and emptying in patients with neurogenic bladder.
• Analyze the role of urinary stimulants, such as cholinergic agents, in the management of neurogenic bladder with an underactive detrusor muscle.
  • In cases of neurogenic bladder where the detrusor muscle is underactive, leading to incomplete bladder emptying, urinary stimulants like cholinergic agents may be used to enhance bladder contraction and improve emptying. These medications work by stimulating the muscarinic receptors in the detrusor muscle, which increases the muscle's contractility and facilitates the expulsion of urine. By targeting the parasympathetic nervous system's influence on the bladder, urinary stimulants can help restore more effective bladder emptying in patients with neurogenic bladder and an underactive detrusor, reducing the risk of complications like urinary tract infections and kidney damage associated with incomplete bladder emptying.

Related terms

Detrusor Muscle: The smooth muscle layer of the bladder wall that contracts to expel urine during urination.

Autonomic Nervous System: The part of the nervous system that controls involuntary bodily functions, including bladder control.

Urinary Incontinence: The involuntary leakage of urine, a common symptom associated with neurogenic bladder.