As we age, our bodies undergo many changes and challenges, and some of the physical and emotional challenges of older patients may be difficult to discuss with caretakers or even medical professionals alike. That’s why it can be helpful to learn about common symptoms and conditions that affect aging patients to open a line of communication between loved ones and caretakers.
One of the common conditions that may affect the physical health and emotional well-being of older patients is bladder spasms. It can be a difficult conversation to have, and may leave patients feeling isolated or alone because of feelings of embarrassment when it comes to talking about bladder control or leakage of urine.
Lightyear Health is here to help.
We believe in a comprehensive approach to care and support that includes the input of patient, caretaker, and medical team. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing the resources and information that caretakers and aging individuals can use to navigate the complexities of aging and create a better quality of life.
Here’s a look at some of the common causes, symptoms, and treatment options for bladder spasms.
What Causes Bladder Spasms?
The more you understand the causes of bladder spasms, the easier it will be to get the care you or your family member deserve. There are several potential reasons an individual may be experiencing bladder spasms, many of which are fairly simple and easy to treat or manage. These are a few of the most common reasons a patient may have bladder spasms.
Certain Medications
If a patient has never experienced bladder spasms before, it may be the result of certain medications or changes to their medication schedule. As patients age, it’s essential to consider the side effects of new medications or the combination of certain medications, and to weigh the pros and cons with the prescribing provider of each before use.
Bladder spasms can be managed quite easily, and typically don’t have lasting or dangerous effects beyond discomfort. That said, if medications are the cause, it may be a relatively easy to switch to a different type of medication with lesser side effects.
Diabetes
If a patient with diabetes experiences bladder spasms, it’s important to contact their health team right away. Diabetes is a condition in which an excess of glucose can cause inflammation in the nerves and tissue. Without treatment, inflammation can cause neuropathy over time, the result of nerve damage.
When the nerves in and around the bladder become inflamed or damaged, it may lead to bladder spasms and other symptoms and conditions. This may be referred to as a neurogenic bladder or neuropathy of bladder.
With proper care and management, the more extreme symptoms of this condition can be managed or avoided entirely, so it’s important for patients to remain in regular communication with their care team, and to alert them if changes in bladder spasms or bathroom behaviors occur.
Neurological Disorders
Neurological disorders can and do impact bodily systems that may seem unrelated to the central nervous system. Similar to how diabetes affects the bladder and can cause bladder spasms, a neurogenic bladder can develop when the nerves are affected by chronic neurological conditions.
Essentially, the connectors between the brain and the body are disrupted, which means the signals are intermittent and physical responses can become confused or reduced.
Some of the common neurological conditions that may be responsible for bladder spasms are Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
They may also be the result of an acute neurological trauma, such a stroke, spinal cord injury, or recent surgery (esoecially if a urinary catheter was placed during surgery or early recovery).
Bladder Stones
Bladder stones develop when the minerals that naturally exist in urine crystalize into hard masses. They can range in size, but often result when the bladder has not been entirely voided. They may also form in response to infection or foreign objects or materials in the bladder.
Common conditions that cause bladder stones include an enlarged prostate or nerve damage to or around the bladder. Kidney stones that have not been properly treated may also form into bladder stones.
Bladder stones may pass or break down and clear out on their own. When left untreated, however, they may also cause irritations, blockages, and difficulty urinating, and they can be responsible for bladder spasms, as well.
Diet
When considering the potential causes for bladder spasms and increased frequency of urination, it’s important to look at diet because consumption of certain beverages may also lead to bladder spasms — specifically, caffeine and alcohol.
Foods that are acidic, such as alcohol, tomato sauce, and animal proteins may cause irritation to the lining of the bladder. Caffeine, which works as a stimulant, can affect the nervous system and contribute to spasms.
What Are the Symptoms of Bladder Spasms?
It’s important for caretakers and patients to be able to recognize the different symptoms of bladder spasms, as this will make it easier to get the care and support they need. Here are some of the symptoms associated with bladder spasms and what they might mean.
Burning Sensation When Urinating
Bladder spasms may be associated with urinary tract infections, or UTIs, which may either be a symptom or a cause of the issue. If the bladder spasm is related to a urinary tract infection, it may present as a burning sensation when urinating, pelvic pain, urine with a strong or unusual scent, and the inability to void completely. With a UTI, urine typically presents as a red, pink, or cloudy color.
Leaking or Excess Urine
Bladder spasms may also present in patients with an overactive bladder, a condition known as OAB. Because they typically present together, OAB and bladder spasms are often used interchangeably. The symptoms of the dynamic will present as excessive urination, including leaking before urination, excess urination throughout the day, and waking in the night to urinate.
Bladder Pain
When bladder spasms are associated with pain, it may be in reference to bladder pain syndrome or painful bladder syndrome, of which underlying causes are not well understood. As the name would indicate, patients with this condition may feel pain or pressure in the bladder, which can vary from day to day in severity. They may also experience a sense of relief when voiding the bladder. With this condition, spasms are not typically related to any leakage or urinary incontinence.
What Treatments Are There for Bladder Spasms?
The good news is that there are many different ways to manage and reduce the effects of bladder spasms while treating the underlying conditions. Here are some of the common treatment methods that may be recommended to individuals experiencing bladder spasms.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, are used to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles surrounding the bladder muscle. This is a therapy commonly used to manage urinary and urge incontinence to promote a regular urination schedule, which can be useful for reducing bladder spasms.
In addition to strengthening your muscles, Kegels can also be helpful for reducing your stress levels. Stress incontinence can be induced by feelings of intense tension and stress, and Kegels are one way to help relieve this pressure.
Here at Lightyear Health, we believe in therapy approaches that combine physical, emotional, and mental healthcare needs because a comprehensive care program is often the most effective for managing conditions like bladder spasms.
Medications
There are several ways that medications can be useful in managing the effects of bladder spasms. To start, some medications may be responsible for symptoms of bladder spasms. Your doctor may be able to swap out your current medication for an alternative with fewer side effects, which may provide relief from spasms.
Medications may also be used to treat both the acute and chronic conditions that often contribute to bladder spasms.
If your bladder spasms are the result of an infection, like a urinary tract infection or kidney infection, antibiotics can be used to clear the infection and reduce feelings of irritation and inflammation, including spasms.
With chronic, neurological conditions, medications are available to reduce spasms and provide greater control and independence. These may be useful for reducing feelings of bladder spasms. Commonly prescribed medications to help with bladder contractions include tricyclic antidepressants and antispasmodics like tolterodine and oxybutynin chloride.
Condition Management
Some long-term conditions, like kidney disease and diabetes, may also cause symptoms such as bladder spasms. While they might be more challenging to address, managing the condition at the recommendation of your medical team is essential.
Proper care, medication use, and lifestyle changes can help to reduce the symptoms of chronic conditions, and prevent them from worsening.
Additional Interventions
If the above options aren’t helpful, some physicians may turn to additional interventions that directly apply treatment to the bladder.
One option is botulinum toxin type A, aka Botox — a physician can inject this directly into the bladder wall to help reduce involuntary bladder contractions by strengthening the bladder muscle.
Another directly applied treatment involves electrical stimulation typically used for pain relief. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a type of nerve stimulation that involves low-voltage electrical current directly applied to areas of pain, and it’s a common modality in physical therapy. However, it can also be used to help reduce bladder spasms.
Conclusion
Bladder spasms may be overwhelming for patients who are experiencing changes in their capability and comfort, but patients and caretakers have options. There are many different ways to manage the conditions that contribute to bladder spasms and the symptoms that present alongside them. Some are even as simple as changing medications, with the appropriate medical advice.
Whatever your treatment and care plan needs may be, Lightyear Health is here to help every step of the way. We’re patient advocates and caretaker supporters who strive for open communication in all facets of care, so you and your loved ones can take the aging journey in grace and joy.
Sources
Neurogenic Bladder | Cleveland Clinic
Urinary tract infection (UTI) – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
