What Causes Bladder Spasms?

Bladder spasms can be best described as the action of the bladder contracting or squeezing involuntarily, which sometimes causes the affected individual to urinate when they do not intend to. The sensation of a bladder spasm is one that happens suddenly or without any warning. Bladder spasms cause a burning sensation and or cramping pain. Other symptoms of frequent bladder spasms include accidental urine leakage, waking up several times a night to urinate, and frequent urges to urinate. The symptoms of bladder spasms tend to simulate those of a urinary tract infection. Bladder spasms are uncomfortable, painful, and inconvenient, but there are numerous medications and surgical interventions available to restore an individual's normal bladder function. Bladder spasms are often a complication of an existing condition, but other factors can also cause them to occur.

Use Of A Catheter

Many individuals experience bladder spasms due to the use of a catheter. A catheter is a narrow, flexible tube utilized to evacuate urine from an individuals body. Catheters are often used on a short term basis such as after surgical procedures when the individual is not mobile just yet. Catheters are also used on more of a long term basis for patients who are not mobile at all, or those who cannot control their bladder function. The catheter is inserted through the urethra and is pushed into the bladder. Catheters used to empty the bladder once do not have a balloon at the end, while catheters meant to stay in place for some time do. The balloon is inflated once the catheter has been inserted in order to keep it in place. Because a urinary catheter is a foreign object in the urethra, it is natural that some irritation would occur when the patient is not used to it. In addition, the friction from moving a catheter in and out of the urethra can cause inflammation. Irritation or inflammation in the urethra or bladder is a common trigger for bladder spasms.

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Urinary Tract Infections

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are characterized by an infection of any component of the urinary system including the ureters, kidneys, urethra, and bladder. UTIs happen as a result of an invasion of bacteria in the urinary tract. Bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra, and they make their way up into the bladder. Once there, the bacteria begin to multiply and colonize in the muscle rapidly. This bacteria colonization results in the development of a full-blown urinary tract infection, resulting in a response from the individual's immune system. The immune response results in inflammation of the bladder that makes the patient feel like they need to empty their bladder when it is already empty. Because of this sensation, it is not uncommon for the patient to excessively strain to urinate more. This intense strain on the bladder, urethra, and the sphincters can result in the bladder unexpectedly contracting. Usually, the bladder spasms will cease after the individual receives treatment for the infection and stops excessively straining to urinate.

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