It is necessary to understand the functioning of the bladder within the urinary system to later understand the reasons for the conditions that may occur due to this organ.
In the first place, the bladder is responsible for receiving and storing the urine from the ureters and then being expelled to the outside through the urethra, so this organ acts as a collection bag for urine that is produced in the kidneys.
In it we can find a capacity of between 300 to 350 cubic centimeters where people will already begin to feel like going to the bathroom. It should be known that this volume can increase depending on the individual.
Internally, the bladder is composed of three layers: The serous layer formed by the parietal peritoneum, the muscular layer formed by a smooth muscle that contracts due to the passage of urine, this in turn has three capable, the outer or superficial layer, the middle layer and the inner layer.
And finally, the mucous layer that is formed by urinary transitional epithelium and the lamina propria, which is made of connective tissue.
The bladder neck, trigone and bladder dome are other internal parts that also fulfill important functions, in these are veins, nerves, arteries and lymphatics.
Normally when the bladder fills with urine this process occurs slowly, but people with bladder spasms experience this feeling suddenly and without being able to control it. Individuals with these spasms often describe the pain as cramping in the lower abdominal area.
Bladder spasm is defined as an involuntary contracture of the detrusor muscle of the bladder that occurs intermittently and unpredictably, these spasms can affect anyone of any age, but are frequently suffered by older people, women who are going through menopause, pregnant women or recently gave birth and people with urinary infections or who have undergone surgeries in the pelvic area or lower abdominal area.
Causes of bladder spasms
It is difficult to frame the cause of this condition, here are some of the most common:
· Urinary tract infection.
· Interstitial cystitis.
· Use of bladder catheters.
· Violent blows in the lower abdomen.
· Multiple sclerosis.
· Parkinson's disease.
· Hysterectomy (Removal of the uterus).
· Surrounding prostatectomy.
· Bladder cancer.
There are medications that can cause bladder spasms as a side effect such as chemotherapeutic and diuretic drugs, also the foods that are consumed in our day can contribute to generating these spasms such as spicy, acidic or citrus foods, in addition to certain artificial foods that have preservatives and drinks alcoholic.
The following symptoms can help reveal a possible bladder spasm, so if they are detected, it is recommended to consult immediately with a specialist to find out which medications should be consumed:
· Pain or cramping sensation in the lower abdomen
· Burning when urinating
· Frequent use of the bathroom
Treatments
There are medications which are prescribed by the specialist and allow greater control of the bladder, some medications prevent leaks and others work to control contractions or spasms of the bladder.
· The anticholinergic have the function to prevent certain muscles to tighten, in this case reduces the involuntary contractions of the bladder, these drugs are: tolterodine, propantheline, oxybutynin, darifenacin, trospium and solifenacin succinate.
· In some cases, tricyclic antidepressants are used, which have anticholinergic properties and help control smooth muscle tissue, the ones most frequently prescribed are imipramine hydrochloride and doxepin.
· Other medications that fulfill the function of reducing contractions are alpha-blockers which reduce the symptoms of overactive bladder and those that are most frequently prescribed are prazosia and phenoxybenzamine.
These treatments will depend on the cause of the ailment and the previous analysis that the specialist will do, the procedure par excellence is cystoscopy which is an endoscopic exploration that consists of the introduction of a thin tube with a camera through the urethral meatus and that allows the doctor to look inside the urethra and bladder.
It is important to bear in mind that since the condition is confirmed we can contribute to its decrease by changing our eating habits, not taking foam baths since some soaps have harsh chemicals that irritate the bladder, do not smoke and drink alcoholic beverages and avoid resisting the urge to go to the bathroom for a better functioning of the urinary system.
There are also studies that suggest relaxation activities such as acupuncture and specific massages in the abdomen area.
Your colon’s main job is to absorb water from residual food as it’s passing through your digestive system. It then creates stool (waste). The colon’s muscles eventually propel the waste out through the rectum to be eliminated. If stool remains in the colon too long, it can become hard and difficult to pass. Poor diet frequently causes constipation. Dietary fiber and adequate water intake are necessary to help keep stools soft.