1000 2nd Ave , Suite 2920, Seattle WA 98104

Bladder Dysfunction - Treatment and Diagnosis in Seattle, WA

Bladder Dysfunction in Seattle, WA

Bladder dysfunction, also known as voiding dysfunction, is when you can't effectively urinate and empty your bladder. This can be an embarrassing, painful and possibly serious problem that—if left untreated—could eventually cause organ system failure.

Bladder dysfunction differs from an overactive bladder or urinary incontinence in that the trouble is getting the urine out, not keeping it in.

Symptoms of Bladder Dysfunction

  • An arbitrary and sudden, powerful urge to urinate
  • A feeling of needing to urinate often
  • Difficulty actually urinating
  • Decreases force in expending urine
  • Inability to empty bladder completely
  • Numerous, re-occurring urinary tract infections
  • Pain may also be present if left untreated

Possible Causes of Bladder Dysfunction

  • Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
  • Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) 
  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Dementia
  • A previous pelvic surgery
  • Sedatives
  • Muscle relaxers
  • Opiates
  • Antihistamines (allergy meds)
  • Calcium channel blockers (CCB) (used to treat migraines, high blood pressure, etc.) 

How is Bladder Dysfunction Diagnosed?

The first step in diagnosing bladder dysfunction is ruling out other possible causes, this is what is called a differential diagnosis—or DDx for short.

Bladder dysfunction can mimic several other conditions, including:

  • Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Central cord syndrome (CCS)
  • Spina bifida
  • Unitary outflow obstruction (bladder stones)
  • Cervical disc disease
  • Lumbar spondylolysis
  • Brown-sequard syndrome (spinal cord lesion)
  • Urinary tract infections (UTI) (if left unchecked, re-occurring urinary tract infections can cause a severe infection called urosepsis.  If urosepsis is left untreated, renal/kidney failure may result).

Testing for bladder dysfunction usually involves performing urinalysis , a 24-hour creatinine clearance (a day long urine specimen), residual urine volume measurement, ultrasound, video-urodynamics, rectal exam (men), blood test and a pelvic floor test (women). All this will help your doctor rule out other causes and confirm the issue you're having is absolutely a form of bladder dysfunction. 

How is Bladder Dysfunction Treated?

Treatments for bladder dysfunction can range from a simple pill to surgery, some of the options include:

  • Catheterization to help urination
  • Antidepressants  
  • Exercise
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Botox injection to relax muscles
  • Surgery

No matter the cause, bladder dysfunction can be a serious, embarrassing and painful experience, but treatment is just a phone call away.

Request more information about Bladder Dysfunction today. Call (206) 966-4522 or contact Dr. Marina Abrams online.

Map Icon
Hours and Directions
Water's Edge Natural Medicine
+

Address

1000 2nd Ave
Suite 2920
Seattle, WA 98104
(206) 966-4522
www.naturopathic.com

Hours

Mon: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Tue: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Wed: 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
Thu: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Fri: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Sat: Closed
Sun: Closed

Areas We Service:

Bellevue, WA, Medina, WA, Mercer Island, WA, Redmond, WA, Woodinville, WA, Bainbridge Island, WA, Snohomish, WA, Belltown, WA, South Lake Union, WA, Clyde Hill, WA, Beacon Hill, WA, Capitol Hill, WA, Interbay, WA, Pioneer Square, WA, Queen Anne, WA, West Seattle, WA