At St. Petersburg Personal Injury Attorneys McQuaid & Douglas, we specialize in women’s car accident injuries divorce attorney huntersville. Our client base is two-thirds women, therefore we are uniquely positioned to address several issues our clients experience. One issue we have continued to hear about are complaints from women who have begun to experience problems with bladder control and/or incontinence after a car accident.
At first our assumption was that these symptoms were simply a manifestation of complications after childbirth. In fact, this belief was even shared by some of the same women who were experiencing the problems. But, when we started receiving reports from women who had never had children who were also experiencing these symptoms, we realized that this was a bigger problem that needed to be addressed. Therefore, we have taken steps to educate our clients and treating physicians about this issue to obtain appropriate medical treatment. In this guide, I will provide educational material in case you are experiencing similar problems and are looking for information.
SYMPTOMS OF INCONTINENCE
When signals between the bladder and bowel have been affected due to injury, this is called neurogenic bladder or neurogenic bowel . Signs of a neurogenic bladder are loss of bladder control, inability to empty the bladder, urinary frequency problems, and urinary tract infections. Signs of a neurogenic bowel are U, constipation, bowel frequency problems, or not having a bowel movement.
WHAT PART OF THE SPINAL CORD INFLUENCES THE BLADDER AND INTESTINE?
The lowest part of the spinal cord is the sacral spinal cord. This portion of the spinal cord transmits information about bladder function, the external sphincters of the bladder and bowel, sexual functions, and some leg muscles. Urinating, or using the toilet in layman’s terms, involves the sacral spinal cord. Part of the sacral spinal cord is the sacral evacuation or urination center. The “center” receives and sends signals to the bladder. For example, when the bladder fills with urine, a signal is sent to the center and then transmitted to the brain that it is time to use the toilet. If this communication process between the body and the brain is damaged in an accident, incontinence is the result.
It is also possible that spinal cord injuries above the sacrum may affect bladder and bowel control. Between the brain and the spinal cord is the brainstem. Like the sacral evacuation center, the brain stem also has a cerebral evacuation or voiding center. This brain center sends signals through the spinal cord to the sphincters telling them to relax. If the spinal cord injury interferes with the signal, the sphincters may not relax, causing a problem called detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) . DSD can cause high pressure to develop in the bladder that can damage the kidneys if left untreated.
Yet another problem that is caused by spinal cord injuries at or above thoracic level 6 (T-6) is called autonomic dysreflexia. The effect of this condition is an increase in blood pressure. If you have suffered an injury to this area, it is important to monitor your blood pressure when your bladder is full or you are urinating. Some have no symptoms of this condition other than high blood pressure. But, common symptoms associated with autonomic dysreflexia are headaches, sweating, flushing, goosebumps or chills, anxiety, and a slower pulse. Therefore, it is important to note how important the spinal cord may be to the bladder and/or bowel. For more information, contact the National Continence Association .
TREATMENT OPTIONS FOR INCONTINENCE AFTER A CAR ACCIDENT
If you don’t tell anyone about the problems you’re experiencing, you run the risk that they won’t get better. Fortunately, there are multiple treatment options. You may need to tell your treating doctor to request a referral to a specialist who can discuss these options in more detail.
One way to prevent problems is to train your bowel when to defecate. The program may begin with a suppository or enema. Training your body to complete the movement at a specific time each day will eventually result in a scheduled process.
NON-INVASIVE TREATMENT
Anal Irrigation – this is a new bowel control therapy to reduce constipation and assist/control movement.
Clean technique intermittent catheterization – In this technique, you or a healthcare professional inserts a catheter through the urethra into the bladder to empty it.
Continuous catheter drainage – a healthcare professional may insert a catheter through your urethra or abdominal wall and into your bladder to continuously empty it.
SURGICAL TREATMENT
A urologist can perform bladder reconstructive surgery that may resolve symptoms and management. A proctologist can perform rectal reconstructive surgery.
MEDICINE ADMINISTRATION
There are medications available to treat incontinence problems after a spinal cord injury. These medications seek to improve bladder function and control the timing of bowel movements.