Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTreatmentSymptomsCauses and Other ConditionsTreatmentAlternative TherapiesManagement
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Treatment
Symptoms
Causes and Other Conditions
Alternative Therapies
Management
Neurogenic bladder causes varied symptoms, which can include bladder urgency, frequent urination, incontinence, the feeling of a full bladder, and urinary retention (not being able to empty the bladder).
Neurogenic Bladder Treatment Overview
Treatments may include:
You may need ongoing therapy with a combination of treatments. As your condition changes over time, you might need changes to your treatment plan.
Symptoms: How Neurogenic Bladder Feels
With neurogenic bladder, you can have a combination of overactive and underactive bladder symptoms. Urgency, frequency, andincontinenceare sometimes described asoveractive bladdersymptoms, while a full bladder andurinary retentionare symptoms of an underactive bladder.
You might not specifically feel that a weak bladder causes the symptoms, but after you get a diagnosis, your healthcare providers will let you know which signs to look for.
Symptoms of neurogenic bladder can include:
Complications
Complications of neurogenic bladder can cause additional symptoms, including:
In addition to these health complications, living with neurogenic bladder can cause stress, anxiety, or depression. Feeling like you could wet your pants in public or feeling that you always need to be near a toilet can limit your freedom, which can take an emotional toll and may affect your quality of life.
NocturiaNocturiais getting up to pee during the night.This can cause disrupted sleep and fatigue in the morning. Sometimes, nocturia may result in wetting the bed.
Nocturia
Nocturiais getting up to pee during the night.This can cause disrupted sleep and fatigue in the morning. Sometimes, nocturia may result in wetting the bed.
Neurogenic Bladder Damage and Related Conditions
Some nerves to the bladder allow you to hold your urine, and some allow you to pee. This is why neurogenic bladder can sometimes cause opposite symptoms—you might have incontinence, urgency, and retention due to the combination of nerves and muscles that are damaged. Bladder spasms can cause sudden leaking, and bladder weakness can make it difficult to pee.
Medical disorders that can cause neurogenic bladder include:
Many of these medical conditions can cause permanent damage or worsening effects. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic condition that can cause symptoms that sometimes worsen and sometimes improve.Some medications can cause neurogenic bladder, which should resolve once the medication is stopped.
Seeing a SpecialistYou may need to see aurologistor a neurologist, or both, for treatment of a neurogenic bladder that is not responding to standard treatment. A urologist is a physician specializing in treating kidney and bladder disease, while a neurologist is a physician specialized in treating conditions affecting the nervous system.
Seeing a Specialist
You may need to see aurologistor a neurologist, or both, for treatment of a neurogenic bladder that is not responding to standard treatment. A urologist is a physician specializing in treating kidney and bladder disease, while a neurologist is a physician specialized in treating conditions affecting the nervous system.
Types of Urinary Incontinence and How to Find Relief
Urologist-Prescribed Neurogenic Bladder Treatment
A urologist will use diagnostic tests (post-void residual, urodynamics,cystoscopy) to identify the specific problem that you’re having and to help decide which treatments you need.
Therapies for neurogenic bladder (with overactive symptoms) include:
How Overactive Bladder Is Treated
Complementary and Alternative Remedies
Nevertheless, some alternative and complementary remedies may help improve your urinary control. You should discuss these options with your urologist or other treating professional to know whether they are safe for you and whether you need professional guidance.
Alternative remedies that may help people who have neurogenic bladder include:
These therapies may help you gain a better ability to sense and control your urination so that you can avoid accidents and complications.
How to Manage Chronic Neurogenic Bladder
Living with neurogenic bladder can be challenging. You may experience urgency, incontinence, infections, and fluctuating symptoms.
It’s important for you to adjust your day-to-day life to maximize your comfort and independence while reducing the risk of complications.
Lifestyle adjustments to consider include:
Pay attention to your symptoms so that you can discuss any concerns or changes with your healthcare provider. If your symptoms change over time, you may need adjustments in your treatment.
Coping With Overactive Bladder
Summary
Neurogenic bladder is a chronic condition that develops due to damage of the nerves that control urination. Causes for this condition include neuropathy, traumatic injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and more.
You should not ignore any urinary problems you’re experiencing because neurogenic bladder can cause complications when it is not treated. Effective treatment can help improve your symptoms, overall health, and quality of life.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Medina-Polo J, Adot JM, Allué M, et al.Consensus document on the multidisciplinary management of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis.Neurourol Urodyn. 2020;39(2):762-770. doi:10.1002/nau.24276Ginsberg DA, Boone TB, Cameron AP, et al.The AUA/SUFU guideline on adult neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction: Treatment and follow-up.J Urol.2021;206(5):1106-1113. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000002239Fitzpatrick MA, Nwafo N.Urinary tract Infection diagnostic and management considerations in people with spinal cord injury and neurogenic bladder.Infect Dis Clin North Am.2024;38(2):381-393. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2024.03.012Shenot PJ.Neurogenic bladder. Merck Manual.MedlinePlus.Urinating more at night.Truzzi JC, de Almeida FG, Sacomani CA, Reis J, Rocha FET.Neurogenic bladder - concepts and treatment recommendations.Int Braz J Urol.2022;48(2):220-243. doi:10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2021.0098Jiang YH, Jhang JF, Chen SF, Kuo HC.Real-life treatment outcome of botulinum toxin A injection on overactive bladder and voiding dysfunction in patients with central nervous system lesions.Toxins (Basel). 2024;16(3):123. doi:10.3390/toxins16030123Yang GF, Sun D, Wang XH, Chong L, Luo F, Fang CB.Effectiveness of rehabilitation training combined acupuncture for the treatment of neurogenic bladder secondary to spinal cord injury.Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(39):e17322. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000017322
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Medina-Polo J, Adot JM, Allué M, et al.Consensus document on the multidisciplinary management of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis.Neurourol Urodyn. 2020;39(2):762-770. doi:10.1002/nau.24276Ginsberg DA, Boone TB, Cameron AP, et al.The AUA/SUFU guideline on adult neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction: Treatment and follow-up.J Urol.2021;206(5):1106-1113. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000002239Fitzpatrick MA, Nwafo N.Urinary tract Infection diagnostic and management considerations in people with spinal cord injury and neurogenic bladder.Infect Dis Clin North Am.2024;38(2):381-393. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2024.03.012Shenot PJ.Neurogenic bladder. Merck Manual.MedlinePlus.Urinating more at night.Truzzi JC, de Almeida FG, Sacomani CA, Reis J, Rocha FET.Neurogenic bladder - concepts and treatment recommendations.Int Braz J Urol.2022;48(2):220-243. doi:10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2021.0098Jiang YH, Jhang JF, Chen SF, Kuo HC.Real-life treatment outcome of botulinum toxin A injection on overactive bladder and voiding dysfunction in patients with central nervous system lesions.Toxins (Basel). 2024;16(3):123. doi:10.3390/toxins16030123Yang GF, Sun D, Wang XH, Chong L, Luo F, Fang CB.Effectiveness of rehabilitation training combined acupuncture for the treatment of neurogenic bladder secondary to spinal cord injury.Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(39):e17322. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000017322
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Medina-Polo J, Adot JM, Allué M, et al.Consensus document on the multidisciplinary management of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis.Neurourol Urodyn. 2020;39(2):762-770. doi:10.1002/nau.24276Ginsberg DA, Boone TB, Cameron AP, et al.The AUA/SUFU guideline on adult neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction: Treatment and follow-up.J Urol.2021;206(5):1106-1113. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000002239Fitzpatrick MA, Nwafo N.Urinary tract Infection diagnostic and management considerations in people with spinal cord injury and neurogenic bladder.Infect Dis Clin North Am.2024;38(2):381-393. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2024.03.012Shenot PJ.Neurogenic bladder. Merck Manual.MedlinePlus.Urinating more at night.Truzzi JC, de Almeida FG, Sacomani CA, Reis J, Rocha FET.Neurogenic bladder - concepts and treatment recommendations.Int Braz J Urol.2022;48(2):220-243. doi:10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2021.0098Jiang YH, Jhang JF, Chen SF, Kuo HC.Real-life treatment outcome of botulinum toxin A injection on overactive bladder and voiding dysfunction in patients with central nervous system lesions.Toxins (Basel). 2024;16(3):123. doi:10.3390/toxins16030123Yang GF, Sun D, Wang XH, Chong L, Luo F, Fang CB.Effectiveness of rehabilitation training combined acupuncture for the treatment of neurogenic bladder secondary to spinal cord injury.Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(39):e17322. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000017322
Medina-Polo J, Adot JM, Allué M, et al.Consensus document on the multidisciplinary management of neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction in patients with multiple sclerosis.Neurourol Urodyn. 2020;39(2):762-770. doi:10.1002/nau.24276
Ginsberg DA, Boone TB, Cameron AP, et al.The AUA/SUFU guideline on adult neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction: Treatment and follow-up.J Urol.2021;206(5):1106-1113. doi:10.1097/JU.0000000000002239
Fitzpatrick MA, Nwafo N.Urinary tract Infection diagnostic and management considerations in people with spinal cord injury and neurogenic bladder.Infect Dis Clin North Am.2024;38(2):381-393. doi:10.1016/j.idc.2024.03.012
Shenot PJ.Neurogenic bladder. Merck Manual.
MedlinePlus.Urinating more at night.
Truzzi JC, de Almeida FG, Sacomani CA, Reis J, Rocha FET.Neurogenic bladder - concepts and treatment recommendations.Int Braz J Urol.2022;48(2):220-243. doi:10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2021.0098
Jiang YH, Jhang JF, Chen SF, Kuo HC.Real-life treatment outcome of botulinum toxin A injection on overactive bladder and voiding dysfunction in patients with central nervous system lesions.Toxins (Basel). 2024;16(3):123. doi:10.3390/toxins16030123
Yang GF, Sun D, Wang XH, Chong L, Luo F, Fang CB.Effectiveness of rehabilitation training combined acupuncture for the treatment of neurogenic bladder secondary to spinal cord injury.Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(39):e17322. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000017322
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