Nerve Damage
Muscles and nerves work together to ensure the bladder holds urine until the body is ready to empty it. Signals go back and forth between the brain and muscles that regulate bladder emptying. Unfortunately, the brain and bladder muscle connection may be interrupted due to injury or illness. Also called neurogenic bladder, this condition is characterized by the bladder muscles unable to relax and tighten at the right time.
People with an overactive bladder due to stroke, brain disease, and Parkinson’s disease usually feel sudden urges to go to the bathroom to empty their bladder. However, some patients may also leak urine in case of nerve damage. Therefore, if a patient goes to the bathroom more than eight times within 24 hours, it is best to check in with a doctor to identify whether nerve damage is causing an overactive bladder.
Sacral neuromodulation may be managed with symptoms associated with a neurogenic bladder. This surgery targets all the nerves responsible for carrying the signal between the bladder and the spinal cord. First, a bladder pacemaker is inserted under the skin. It sends harmless electrical impulses to the bladder to eliminate unhealthy signals that cause the bladder to be overactive.
