by David Cowley

Created on: December 17, 2008

A Guide To Bladder Disorders. OAB or overactive bladder is one of the most common problems related to bladder, and it occurs when smooth bladder muscle contracts without warning. There are millions of people suffering from this bladder disorder, but only about twenty percent seek the medical help, as mostly are embarrassed to ask for help, or they feel that there is no cure available for bladder Disorders.

There are three main symptoms of OAB: urgency, frequency and urge incontinence. The people suffering from OAB need to urinate more frequently, they do not get enough sleep as they need to wake up several times during night to empty their bladder.

Types Of Bladder Disorders

Flaccid bladder is a urinary bladder disorder resulting from interruption of reflex arc, which is usually associated with voiding urine; absence of sensation of bladder and as a result, bladder gets over-filled. The bladder becomes stretched because of constant over filling with excess urine. Treatment consists of self cauterization on a regular basis.

Neurogenic bladder is a urinary bladder disorder that is caused by lesion, injury or disease in the nervous system. In case of neurogenic bladder disorder, brain does not send the signal required by the bladder to release and tighten properly. Or at times, the signal is not processed correctly by the spinal cord. Misfiring, or no firing easily affects urinary system negatively.

Treatment options for neurogenic bladder usually consist of intermittent or continuous catheterization. Intermittent catheterization is done four to six times per day and avoids the complications that typically arise with continuous catheterization, such as infection due to a buildup of bacteria in the pelvic region. Many patients who have use of their arms can learn to catheterize themselves, otherwise this procedure must be done by a healthcare professional.

Spastic bladder results from multiple sclerosis, spinal cord lesion or trauma causing absence of bladder sensation resulting in interrupted and incontinence voiding of urine.

Bladder prolapse is a type of bladder disorder where bladder becomes partially positioned outside the abdomen. This happens because after the childbirth, muscles of vagina go through intense pressure and these walls stretch, or at times, tear. Though after childbirth, the vagina heals, the original strength is never regained and the bladder slips out of these weak vagina walls. In sever cases the bladder must be repositioned and supported by surgery.

Interstitial cystitis is another kind of bladder disorder, which is chronic and painful inflammation of bladder wall. The bladder pain and spasms are aggravated due to stress, but real causes are still not very clear. People might feel pressure, discomfort, intense pain or tenderness in the pelvic and bladder area. The cause of Interstitial cystitis is unknown so treatment consists of treating the symptoms only.

Bladder stones are quite common and are caused by change in the acidity of the urine. Bladder stones also develop if urine is stagnated in the bladder due to blind pouch. Small masses of minerals build up in your bladder irritating the wall of the bladder. Bladder stones usually pass on their own but surgery may be required.

Bladder disorder in children causes bed-wetting, which is more common in boys. The initial treatment includes urine test to detect any infection, x-rays to determine urine flow, post-void residual measurement, and ultrasound to detect any kind of serious problem in kidneys or bladder. Children with more complex problems need more invasive urodynamic tests.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.

This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice.

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