Neurogenic bladder is a urinary problem in which the bladder does not empty properly due to a neurological condition.

See also: Urinary incontinence

Several muscles and nerves must work together for your bladder to hold urine until you're ready to empty it. Nerve messages go back and forth between the brain and the muscles that control bladder emptying. If these nerves are damaged by illness or injury, the muscles may not be able to tighten or relax at the right time.

Disorders of the central nervous system commonly cause neurogenic bladder. This can include:

• Alzheimer's disease
• Meningomyelocele
• Brain or spinal cord tumors
• Multiple sclerosis
• Parkinson disease
• Spinal cord injury
• Stroke recovery

Damage or disorders of the peripheral nerves can also cause neurogenic bladder. This can include:

• Alcoholic neuropathy
• Diabetic neuropathy
• Nerve damage due to pelvic surgery
• Nerve damage from a herniated disc
• Vitamin B12 deficiency

Images

Voiding cystourethrogram

Review Date: 06/16/2010
Reviewed By: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc., and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)