Detrusor underactivity is also known as underactive bladder. The condition is characterized by an abnormal variation of the bladder’s strength, urination frequency, and duration of voiding.
Symptoms of Detrusor Underactivity
Patients with underactive bladder may experience the following symptoms:
- Frequent urination
- Nocturia (frequent nighttime urination)
- Overflow, urge, or stress incontinence
- Hesitancy to urinate
- Incomplete bladder emptying
- Straining to urinate
- Recurrent infections
Causes of Underactive Bladder
This condition may be caused by:
- Aging
- Diabetes
- Bladder outlet obstruction
- Parkinson’s disease
- Neurological disorders
- Multiple sclerosis
- Injuries to the cauda equina, spinal cord, or pelvic plexus
- Acute cerebrovascular accidents
- Pelvic surgery
- Herniated disc
- Pelvic and sacral fractures
- Pudendal nerve lesions
- Complex infections (neurosyphilis, herpes zoster and herpes simplex)
- Infectious neurological problems
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
Underactive bladder has been associated with neurogenic complications, side effects of medication, injury, diabetes mellitus, problems with muscle tissue, and aging. Underactive bladder may develop after a patient has experienced overactive bladder because of changes in the bladder wall and muscle structure.
Diagnosing Underactive Bladder
Patients experiencing symptoms of detrusor underactivity, or underactive bladder (UAB), should consult their physician or urologist for a diagnosis and treatment plan.
The diagnostic process includes reviewing the patient’s medical history, current symptoms, the impact of symptoms on daily life, current medications (both over-the-counter and prescription), diet, and fluid intake. A physical examination of the pelvic organs and rectum will be conducted, and patients might be asked to keep a bladder diary to record:
- Frequency and timing of urination
- Fluid intake
- Urgent need to urinate
- Instances of incontinence
Diagnostic tests may include:
- Urine tests to check for infections or blood
- Bladder scans to measure post-urination residual urine
- Cystoscopy
- Urodynamic testing
Treatment for Underactive Bladder
To manage symptoms, doctors may suggest lifestyle changes such as:
- Avoiding bladder irritants like tea, coffee, alcohol, certain citrus fruits, tomato-based foods, chocolate, spicy foods, soda, and other carbonated drinks
- Scheduling bathroom visits
- Double voiding (urinating twice)
- Practicing delayed urination to reduce frequency
Kegel exercises may also be recommended to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
Choose UCI Pelvic Health Center for Detrusor Underactivity
If you are experiencing symptoms like frequent urination, nocturia, or difficulty fully emptying your bladder, these could be signs of detrusor underactivity, or underactive bladder. At UCI Pelvic Health Center, our team of experienced specialists provides comprehensive care and effective treatment options for underactive bladder.
We offer personalized diagnostic evaluations, including medical history reviews, physical examinations, and advanced tests such as bladder scans and urodynamic testing. Our goal is to identify the root cause of your symptoms and develop a tailored treatment plan that addresses your specific needs.