Bladder-Related Complications

Causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment

Since injuries can affect bladder function, related health issues may emerge. Here we cover some of the more common ones.

Kidney stones

Bladder or kidney stones can cause serious problems. Stones in the bladder can block the flow of urine. Stones in the kidneys can interfere with the filtering of blood and with drainage of urine to the bladder.

Causes

  • Not doing intermittent catheters on time or correctly
  • Urine staying in the bladder too long
  • Multiple urinary tract infections
  • Not enough exercise
  • Back up of urine into the kidneys
  • Not drinking enough water
  • High calcium levels in the body

Symptoms

  • Pain in lower back or abdomen if some sensation is present
  • Numerous urinary tract infections
  • Increased sweating
  • Blood in the urine
  • Increased spasms
  • Seeing stones pass in the urine

Prevention

  • Follow your intermittent catheters schedule.
  • Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day.
  • Encourage exercise as much as possible.
  • If the doctor has ordered regular urinary tests, stay on schedule with the treatment plan. Tests may include an intravenous pyelogram (IVP) and/or a renal ultrasound. Many people with spinal cord injuries have these tests done regularly every other year. It is important to get the urinary tests as ordered.

Treatment

  • If you suspect that kidney stones are present, call the nurse or doctor as soon as possible

Overfull bladder

it is possible that your bladder may have too much urine in it and become overfull.

  • A bladder that is overfull most of the time gets stretched out and flabby. It can begin to lose its ability to contract and help in the emptying process. When urine is kept in the bladder too long, it creates an environment where germs can grow and can lead to infection, which may travel up into the kidneys and cause a kidney infection. If left untreated, stones can form in the kidneys and bladder.
  • High bladder pressure is another potential problem caused by an overfull bladder. This can cause urine to back up into the kidneys or change the integrity of the bladder wall itself. Both increase the chances of urinary tract infections.
  • Overfull bladders are also a leading cause of autonomic dysreflexia, a potentially life-threatening condition associated with high blood pressure.

Causes

  • Not doing intermittent catheters on time
  • Not emptying the bladder completely when doing an intermittent catheter
  • Not emptying the bladder completely when refluxing urine (a person who reflexes urine may use a condom catheter for his bladder program)

Symptoms

  • Feelings of bladder fullness even after emptying it by intermittent catheters or condom
  • Leaking between intermittent catheters
  • Increased amount of urine when doing intermittent catheters (more than 500 ccs or 16 ounces)

Prevention and treatment

  • Do intermittent catheters on time and more frequently, if necessary.
  • Be sure to empty the bladder completely when doing an intermittent catheter or using a condom catheter.
  • Limit fluid intake at the end of the day and before bedtime if high bladder volumes occur at night.
  • Decrease fluid intake, following your doctor’s advice about the amount of fluids you should have each day.

Urinary tract infections

Bladder infections are also called urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Causes

  • Not doing intermittent catheters on time
  • Not doing intermittent catheters properly
  • Not emptying the bladder properly during toileting programs or with intermittent catheters
  • Not drinking enough water
  • Dirty supplies and/or hands

Symptoms

  • Fever greater than 101 degrees
  • Blood in urine
  • Leaking between intermittent catheters
  • Burning pain when you urinate
  • Feeling like you have to urinate all the time
  • Autonomic Dysreflexia of unknown cause

Prevention

  • Do toileting program or use intermittent catheters on time and take enough time to completely empty the bladder.
  • Keep catheter, supplies, and leg bag clean.
  • Wash hands before emptying the bladder.
  • Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water per day.
  • Eat a healthy diet.

Treatment

  • Call the doctor to get your urine tested.
  • If the doctor asks you to collect urine at home and bring it in for testing, make sure the urine is stored in a clean container in the refrigerator.
  • Properly label the container with your name, date, and the words “urine sample.”
  • The urine sample must be collected using the clean technique. The doctor may also ask you to come into the office to do a special urine test that must be collected using the sterile technique.
  • Make use of home treatment techniques:
    • Drink 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of cranberry juice or water a day.
    • Stop drinking sodas or other carbonated drinks.
    • Avoid other drinks with caffeine.
    • Keep bladder program as regular as possible.
    • Take all the medicine ordered by the doctor to make sure the infection is gone, even if you start to feel better.

Urinary reflux

Urinary reflux is a problem when the urine flows backwards from the bladder into the kidneys.

Causes

  • Overfull bladder
  • Hyperreflexia
  • Problems with the bladder sphincter: Sometimes the bladder sphincter muscle will increase the pressure in the bladder, causing the urine to flow backwards.

Symptoms

  • Frequent urinary tract infections are a sign that reflux might be happening. If this is the case, call the doctor right away.

Prevention and treatment

  • Do intermittent catheters on time and correctly.
  • Empty the bladder completely each time.
  • Schedule annual checkups with the doctor.
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