Why is my bladder "cramping"? - Bladder spasms after catheterization

In daily life, sometimes we may need to use a catheter to assist urination due to medical needs. However, some patients will encounter a troubling problem after the catheter is placed - bladder spasm. The following will take you to a deeper understanding of the concept, cause, clinical manifestations and nursing methods of bladder spasm to help you better cope with it.

1. Bladder spasm: abnormal contraction of the bladder

Bladder spasm, medically speaking, refers to the spasmodic contraction of the bladder smooth muscle or bladder sphincter, which is usually without inflammatory changes. When the bladder smooth muscle contracts abnormally, it will cause a sudden increase in pressure in the bladder, causing a series of uncomfortable symptoms.

Causes of bladder spasms

1. Catheter irritation : The balloon compression of the catheter may cause edema of the bladder neck and urethra, which may lead to bladder spasm. Long-term indwelling of the catheter may also cause inflammation of the bladder trigone, increasing the risk of bladder spasm.

2. Surgical influence : After bladder surgery or prostate surgery, damage to the bladder mucosa caused by surgical instruments and stimulation of the postoperative catheter may induce bladder spasm.

3. Urinary tract infection : Urinary tract infection may cause increased sensitivity of the bladder mucosa and induce spasm.

4. Nervous system abnormalities : Central nervous system diseases (such as spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis) or peripheral nervous system lesions may affect the nerve control of the bladder and lead to bladder dysfunction.

5. Drug factors : Certain drugs (such as antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, antibiotics, etc.) may trigger bladder spasms as a side effect.

6. Mental stress: The patient's nervousness may aggravate bladder spasms.

7. Improper flushing fluid temperature: Too cold or too hot flushing fluid will irritate the bladder mucosa and muscle nerves, causing involuntary contraction of the detrusor muscle.

Clinical manifestations of bladder spasm

1. Abnormal urination : symptoms such as dribbling urine, temporary urinary retention, frequent urination, urgency, and a feeling of incomplete urination may occur frequently.

2. Pain and discomfort : Lower abdominal pain, paroxysmal attacks, may be accompanied by pain in the lumbar or suprapubic area.

3. Hematuria : Bladder spasm may cause congestion, edema and even bleeding of the bladder mucosa, making the urine red or containing blood clots.

4. Changes in urine : The urine may become cloudy and have an odor.

4. Nursing methods for bladder spasms

1. Adjust your diet : Maintain a light diet and avoid spicy and irritating foods to reduce irritation to the bladder.

2. Keep warm : Keep your body warm to avoid bladder spasms caused by cold stimulation.

3. Regular check-ups : See a doctor regularly to understand your body’s recovery so that you can adjust your treatment plan in a timely manner.

4. Local massage and hot compress : Use hot compress and massage in the bladder area to promote blood circulation in the bladder and relieve spasm symptoms.

5. Drug treatment : Use antispasmodic and analgesic drugs under the guidance of a doctor to inhibit the contraction of the bladder detrusor muscle and relieve symptoms.

6. Eliminate the cause : If bladder spasm is caused by a catheter, you should communicate with your doctor in time and consider removing the catheter or adjusting its position.

Bladder spasm is a possible complication after catheterization. Although it can cause discomfort, we can better deal with this problem by understanding its causes, clinical manifestations, and care methods. If you experience bladder spasm after catheterization, please seek medical attention immediately so that the doctor can develop an appropriate treatment plan based on your specific situation. At the same time, maintaining good living habits and eating habits can also help reduce the risk of bladder spasm.