What are bladder spasms, and how can I treat them?
Bladder spasms are one cause of urinary incontinence and can be a real pain in a person's daily life if not dealt with. They can dictate our schedules, our hobbies, and even our social interactions.
This guide is here to help you understand your bladder spasms, their possible causes, and how to manage them so you can better control your urinary incontinence.
In this blog post, we'll discuss:
- What is a bladder spasm?
- What does a bladder spasm feel like?
- What causes bladder spasms?
- How can I treat bladder spasms?
What is a bladder spasm?
A bladder spasm is a medical condition that involves the involuntary contraction or tightening of the bladder muscles. This leads to increased bladder pressure and an overwhelming urge to use the bathroom.
What does a bladder spasm feel like?
There are a number of common symptoms related to bladder spasms, the main one being urinary incontinence - or the partial or total loss of bladder control. This can come about even if you've just gone to the bathroom.
These sudden urges can affect your quality of life by making even the most routine activities or special outings stressful.
What are the common causes of bladder spasms?
While the average person might take a routine trip to the bathroom for granted, those dealing with bladder pain and spasms face a unique set of challenges.
So, what lies beneath the surface of these sudden urges and bladder pain?
What are the common causes of bladder spasms?
So, what lies beneath the surface of these sudden urges and bladder pain? Let's take a closer look at the causes of bladder spasms, so we can see how to best treat them.
Urinary tract infection (UTI)
UTIs are often a symptom of poor bladder health - and vice versa. They occur when unwanted bacteria make their way into the urinary tract and cause uncomfortable symptoms like:
- A burning sensation when urinating
- Discoloured or cloudy urine
- Strong odour from urine
- Pelvic pain
UTIs are also known for bringing about bladder spasms by irritating the bladder lining and causing the muscles to spasm. This creates that sudden urge to urinate and even some involuntary leakage of urine.
Interstitial cystitis (IC)
IC is an uncomfortable medical condition related to long-term bladder irritation, bladder control issues, and even some ongoing pelvic pain.
Its exact cause isn't fully known, but it is often linked to damage to the bladder lining, which lets irritants from urine into the bladder wall. Weak pelvic floor muscles and some immune system reactions can also play a role in this.
How can I treat bladder spasms?
Bladder spasms are a painful and uncomfortable condition that can disrupt your daily routine, but there are ways to reduce how often they come about throughout the day.
Exercise
Exercise - specifically pelvic floor exercises - is a great way to treat bladder cramps and spasms.
Also known as Kegel exercises, these involve tightening, holding, and then relaxing the muscles used to control urine flow.
Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles that control the flow of urine and increase your ability to hold it in when those sudden urges hit.
Lifestyle changes
Be mindful of your lifestyle when trying to manage bladder spasms.
For example, keep an eye on your fluid intake throughout the day. Don't drink so much that you overwhelm your bladder, but don't avoid drinking water, as this can cause your urine to be more concentrated, potentially irritating your bladder even more.
There are also dietary changes to consider, too.
Caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods are all common culprits of bladder spasms. If you suspect any of these are to blame, keep a food diary to help you identify if what you've eaten could be the cause of your bladder spasms.
In addition, you can try bladder training, a gradual way of establishing an internal "schedule" for when to go to the bathroom and letting your bladder adjust over time.
Incontinence products
While you're making these lifestyle changes or trying new exercises, you need to manage your symptoms as you go. Incontinence pads are the best way to manage any leaks as you try to tackle your bladder spasms.
If you need something a little more robust, or your bladder spasms are leading to more serious accidents, then incontinence pants may be the answer. They act like normal underwear but absorb and trap large amounts of liquid in case of a more serious incontinence accident.
Tackle bladder spasms with confidence
If bladder spasms are causing urinary incontinence and affecting your quality of life, then you need reliable and effective incontinence products to keep leaks to a minimum.
Incontinence pads from Incontinence UK are a great start and offer ultimate protection and comfort throughout the day.
Check out our wide range of incontinence products on the Incontinence UK website now. If you Subscribe and save, you'll enjoy 10% off every order plus reliable, discreet doorstep delivery whenever you need it.
