Overactive bladder

Neurogenic detrusor activity (Overactive bladder), also known as detrusor hyperreflexia is when the detrusor muscle of the bladder contracts more frequently and involuntarily. Neurogenic detrusor activity in men causes urinary incontinence which is the uncontrollable release of urine out of the bladder. Physiotherapy with Hallamshire Physiotherapy Clinic can help to significantly reduce symptoms that are a result from neurogenic detrusor overactivity in men.

What is Neurogenic Detrusor Activity?

Neurogenic detrusor activity in men or detrusor hyperreflexia is a neurological abnormality that impairs the signalling systems between the central nervous system and the bladder. This abnormality results in the brain being unable to inhibit the detrusor muscles that control the bladder and urination. The detrusor muscles therefore contracts more frequently causing the involuntary release of urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence). The impairment of the signalling systems between the bladder and the brain is caused by a disruption of the nerves supplying the detrusor muscle.

What causes neurogenic detrusor activity in men?

The disruption of nerves that controls the bladder in men could be caused by a number factors including;

• Neurological injury – such as spinal cord injury or stroke
• Neurological diseases – such as Parkinsons or Multiple Sclerosis
• Prostate enlargement or cancer
• Prostate surgery or other surgery to the area around the bladder
• Trauma
• Weakened pelvic floor or abdominal muscles
• Poor bladder control
• Bladder problems such as inflammation, bladder stones or cancer.

Symptoms

Neurogenic detrusor activity in men can cause a number of symptoms such as;

• Urinary Incontinence – involuntary urination
• Stress incontinence – leakage of urine during coughing, laughing or exercise
• Urge incontinence – feeling the need to urinate and being unable to hold it in
• More regular urination
• Waking during the night to go to the toilet.

If you suffer from neurogenic detrusor overactivity, there are a number of treatment options that aim to reduce any of your current symptoms. In addition to medical interventions, physiotherapy has shown to provide significant relief from problems associated with the neurogenic overactivity disorder in men.

Physiotherapy

If you suffer from stress incontinence then we will work with you in a physiotherapy programme that will include treatment methods which focus on minimising the problems that you are experiencing. Treatment methods include:

• Strengthening exercises for the pelvic floor muscles and abdominal muscles
• Bladder training to help the bladder return to normal function
• Electrical stimulation may also be used to improve muscle function
• Instruction and provision of a home exercise programme to improve pelvic floor function
• Instructions on how to control pelvic floor and abdominal muscles during coughing, sneezing and laughing etc.
• Breathing control and relaxation exercises
• Education on how to make lifestyle changes that may affect the bladder.