The Diabetic Bladder or The Neurogenic Bladder

By keeping your diabetes under control, you can lower your risk of bladder problems.

Bladder problems can have a profound effect on quality of life. Diabetes can damage the nerves that control bladder function. Men and women with diabetes commonly have bladder symptoms that may include:

These symptoms have been called overactive bladder (or urge incontinence).

Less common, but more severe, bladder problems associated with diabetes include:

These symptoms can be caused by neurogenic bladder. Some evidence indicates that this problem occurs in both men and women with diabetes at earlier ages than in those without diabetes.

In neurogenic bladder, damage to the nerves that go to your bladder can cause it to release urine when you do not intend to urinate, resulting in leakage.

Or, damage to nerves may prevent your bladder from releasing urine properly and it may be forced back into the kidneys, causing kidney damage or urinary tract infections.

Neurogenic bladder can be caused by:

Symptoms of neurogenic bladder include:

To diagnose a neurogenic bladder, your doctor will check both your nervous system (your brain and the nerves of the bladder) and the bladder itself. Tests may include x-rays and an evaluation of bladder function (urodynamics).

Treatment for neurogenic bladder depends on the specific problem and its cause. If the main problem is retention of urine in the bladder, treatment may involve medication to promote better bladder emptying and behavioral changes to promote more efficient urination, called timed urination.

Occasionally, people may need to periodically insert a thin tube called a catheter through the urethra into the bladder to drain the urine.

Learning how to tell when the bladder is full and how to massage the lower abdomen to fully empty the bladder can help as well. If urinary leakage is the main problem, medications or surgery can help.

Symptoms of urinary tract infections may include:

In women, pressure above the pubic bone. In men, a feeling of fullness in the rectum. If the infection is in your kidneys, you may:

Since frequent urination can be a sign of high blood glucose (high blood sugar), you and your doctor should also evaluate recent blood glucose monitoring results.

In order to make a urinary tract diagnosis, your doctor will ask for a urine sample, which will be analyzed for bacteria and pus. If you have frequent urinary tract infections, your doctor may order further tests. An ultrasound exam provides images from the echo patterns of sound waves bounced back from internal organs.

An intravenous pyelogram (IVP) uses a special dye to enhance x-ray images of your urinary tract. Another test, called a cystoscopy, allows the doctor to view the inside of the bladder. Early diagnosis and urinary tract infection treatment are important to prevent more serious infections. To clear up a urinary tract infection, the doctor will probably prescribe an antibiotic based on the bacteria in your urine.

Current recommendations are for a full seven-day course of antibiotic treatment in people with diabetes, instead of the shorter course used for other people. Kidney infections are more serious and may require several weeks of antibiotic treatment. Drinking plenty of fluids can help prevent another infection.

Diabetic neuropathy, including related bladder problems, appears to be more common in people who:

Lower your risk of bladder problems by keeping your blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol close to the target numbers your doctor recommends. Maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active can also help prevent long-term complications of diabetes.

Smoking is a risk factor associated with diabetes and bladder problems; quitting will improve your health in many ways. If you quit smoking, you can lower your risk not only for nerve damage, but also for kidney disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Diabetes can affect many areas of your body, including your kidneys, feet and eyes. But did you know that it can also affect your bladder?

According to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC), diabetes can damage the nerves that control your bladder and how it functions. Bladder complications affect both men and women. What are some symptoms you might experience?

Neurogenic bladder is a more serious condition resulting in difficulty urinating and not being able to fully empty the bladder (retention). If you have symptoms of overactive or neurogenic bladder, see your doctor. There are medications and other treatments available that can help.

There are several complications that can develop due to diabetes. One such problem is damage to the nerves that control the functions of the bladder. Urinary tract and bladder infections are common complications of diabetes.

Fast Facts:

As I always say please keep your sugar levels low. This can be done by your eating habits and exercise. Exercise is a key factor that is very important in keeping them low. You will not believe how just a little exercise will help you.

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