You might not feel when you need to pee when you have a condition called neurogenic bladder, where the nerves controlling bladder function are damaged.
Understanding Neurogenic Bladder
Neurogenic bladder occurs when the communication between your bladder and your brain and spinal cord is disrupted. This nerve damage can lead to various problems with bladder control, including an inability to feel when you need to urinate. This makes it difficult to know when your bladder is full and when to go to the bathroom.
Key Symptoms of Neurogenic Bladder:
- Loss of feeling that the bladder is full: You may not experience the typical urge to urinate when your bladder is full.
- Dribbling urine: You might leak small amounts of urine throughout the day.
- Urinary Incontinence: You may have difficulty controlling your urine flow and accidentally urinate.
- Difficulty starting or stopping the urine stream: You may have trouble initiating or halting urination.
Why Does This Happen?
The nerves involved in urination control are crucial for sensing bladder fullness and initiating urination. When these nerves are not working properly, the brain doesn't receive the signal that the bladder is full. This results in a loss of the sensation of needing to pee. This can happen due to:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Multiple sclerosis
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Other neurological conditions
Managing the Lack of Sensation
If you experience a lack of feeling when you need to pee, it's important to consult with a doctor. They can help diagnose the underlying cause and suggest treatments to help manage the condition. Treatments may include:
- Timed voiding: Going to the bathroom on a schedule rather than waiting for the urge.
- Catheterization: Using a tube to empty the bladder regularly.
- Medications: To help with bladder control and reduce overactivity.
- Surgery: In some cases, surgery may be necessary to improve bladder function.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Cause | Damage to nerves between bladder, spinal cord, and brain. |
| Symptom | Loss of sensation of bladder fullness, among others. |
| Treatment | May involve timed voiding, catheterization, medications, or surgery as needed. |
