Bladder Control

How To Deal with Bladder Spasms

What is a Bladder Spasm?

When the bladder muscles contract or tighten suddenly, it is called a bladder spasm. It comes on as a stinging pain for a moment, and you may feel the urge to urinate.

Bladder spasms are often confused with an overactive bladder (OAB). OAB is also known as urge incontinence, when you suddenly need to empty your bladder and possibly suffer involuntary urine leakage. A bladder spasm could also be a symptom of an infection, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI is treatable and disappears with treatment. However, bladder spasms can also be a symptom of OAB, which is a  broader issue with other factors.

Bladder Spasm Causes

There are a number of reasons that cause a bladder muscle spasm. They can occur because of diet, medication, changes in blood supply, or the functioning of the nerves that control the bladder. They could also happen because of an infection or surgery.

Some other causes are:

• Constipation
• Excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine
• Diabetes
• Impaired kidney function
• Bladder stones
• Enlarged Prostate
• Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Multiple Sclerosis
• Irritation from a urinary catheter
• Interstitial cystitis

You can also easily develop symptoms if you do not fully empty your bladder when you use the bathroom.

What Does a Bladder Spasm Feel Like?

The most familiar symptoms are the urge to urinate and urinary leakage. However, if the contraction of the bladder is because of a UTI, you may also experience the following:

• A burning sensation while urinating
• Passing only small amounts of urine each time you use the bathroom
• Cloudy, red, or pink urine
• Urine with a strong smell
• Pelvic pain

If bladder spasms are due to OAB, you may experience the following: 

• Urine leakage
• Increased urination up to eight or more times
• Interrupted sleep because of the urge to urinate

Bladder Spasm Treatment

1. Pelvic Floor Exercises

Pelvic exercises, also known as kegel exercises, help strengthen the muscles in the pelvis and the core. They help treat bladder spasms arising from stress and urge incontinence. Combining Kegels with biofeedback is a good way to reduce bladder spasms.

Squeeze your muscles like you would holding urine or abstaining from passing gas. These exercises get better with practice but tightening the wrong muscles could have adverse impacts. Consult your doctor to understand how to contract the correct muscles fully.

2. Diet changes

Tracking the food and beverages you consume will help identify which items cause bladder spasms. Keep a food diary and make an entry every time you feel a contraction in the bladder. 

Irritation-causing items include:

• Citrus fruits
• Fruit Juices
• Tomatoes
• Spicy food
• Sugar and artificial sugar
• Chocolate
• Carbonated drinks
• Tea

3. Void Schedule

This includes timing your visits to the bathroom, such as after every 1.5 to 2 hours. As the bladder spasms and leaking subside, you can extend the time between your trips. This technique is very helpful for children.

4. Medication

The drugs prescribed to relax the bladder and prevent spasms are called anticholinergics. They block the involuntary movement of muscles. Your doctor may also prescribe medicines for the overactive bladder to relax the bladder and help it hold more urine.

Over-the-counter bladder spasm medication might also help. However, consult your doctor before using them.

5. TENS and Electrical Stimulation Devices

These devices use electrical signals to relieve pain.

A TENS device sends mild electrical pulses to the bladder via patches applied over the skin to increase blood flow and release pain-blocking hormones. Increased blood flow makes the bladder muscles stronger and reduces spasms.

An Electrical Stimulation implant is placed under the skin to deliver electrical impulses regularly for bladder spasm relief.

6. Biofeedback

A method that trains the brain to control normally automated body functions. Bladder training is an example of biofeedback. Some doctors believe that biofeedback works better than medicines.

To avoid leakage accidents while your bladder spasm treatment continues, you may also consider using incontinence products.

Where to buy Products for Bladder Spasms?

Bladder spasms may disappear with time. Treatment options like kegel exercises,  bladder training, and avoiding foods that increase the spasms can be very simple and also very effective. If you feel a burning sensation, it might be a sign of an infection, and it is always best to consult your doctor.

 

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