Neurogenic bladder
Damage to the nerves which control bladder function and in particular sphincter function, can produce two distinct results:
- Loss of tone in the bladder sphincter results in leakage of urine and urinary incontinence. The pressure within the bladder is never increased.
- Increased tone in the sphincter results in urine collecting in the bladder and when the bladder is full, the pressure starts to rise. Normally such stretching of the bladder wall would cause pain but not if the nerves are damaged. Once this pressure is greater than the sphincter pressure, urine will leak out. However this increased pressure is also transmitted back to one or both kidneys and will cause damage to the kidneys. If this is unrecognised, renal failure will become established.
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