A bladder spasm occurs when the bladder muscle squeezes suddenly without warning, causing an urgent need to release urine. A bladder spasm is referred to medically as a contraction of the detrusor muscle. The spasm can be so severe as to cause the leakage of urine (incontinence), which is characteristic of the condition urge incontinence, or overactive bladder. Sometimes, a bladder spasm is associated with severe cramping, burning, or pain. Bladder spasms can occur in people of any age. They are a common cause of daytime incontinence in children. They can be related to medical conditions that interfere with the function of the nervous system or may be related to infections or damage to the bladder itself. Certain medications and foods are also irritating to the bladder and may cause bladder spasms.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.
Pictures, Images, Illustrations & Quizzes
-
Bladder Infections: UTI Causes, Symptoms, Treatments
Urinary tract infections (UTI), including bladder infections, affect women and men, causing UTI symptoms like kidney infection....
-
Male Incontinence Pictures: Treat and Manage the Condition
Learn how to treat and manage urinary incontinence in men. Male incontinence can be embarrassing, but it is treatable, get the...
-
Picture of Bladder
The urinary bladder is a muscular sac in the pelvis, just above and behind the pubic bone. See a picture of the Bladder and learn...
-
Urinary Incontinence in Women: Types, Causes, and Treatments for Bladder Control
Urinary incontinence in women is a common problem. Overactive bladder (OAB), stress incontinence, and urge incontinence can be...
Causes of Bladder Spasms
-
Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors in Adults (Symptoms, Signs, Causes, Treatment Options, Life Expectancy)
Brain and spinal tumor are diseases in which cancer (malignant) cells begin to grow in the tissues of the brain. Tumors that...
-
Brain Tumor (Symptoms, Signs, Types, Causes, Survival Rates)
A brain tumor can be either non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant), primary, or secondary. Common symptoms of a primary...
-
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral palsy (CP) is an abnormality of motor function and postural tone acquired at an early age (even before birth). Cerebral...
-
Diabetic Neuropathy (Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment)
Diabetic neuropathy a condition in which nerve damage has occurred as a complication of diabetes. The pain from the nerve...
-
Interstitial Cystitis (IC) and Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS)
Interstitial cystitis (IC)/painful bladder syndrome (PBS) is an inflammatory disease of the bladder that can cause ulceration and...
-
Menopause
Menopause is the time in a woman's life when menstrual periods permanently stop, also called the "change of life." Menopause...
-
Overactive Bladder (OAB)
Overactive bladder is a sudden involuntary contraction of the muscle wall of the bladder causing urinary urgency (an immediate...
-
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease is a slowly progressive neurological disease characterized by a fixed inexpressive face, a tremor at rest,...
-
Pregnancy (Week By Week, Trimesters)
Signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary by stage (trimester). The earliest pregnancy symptom is typically a missed period, but...
-
Spinal Cord Injury
Second Source article from Government...
-
Spinal Cord Injury: Treatments and Rehabilitation
When vertebrae are broken or dislocated, the result can cause traumatic injury to the spinal cord. A spinal cord injury can have...
-
Stroke (Signs, Symptoms, Warning Signs)
A stroke is an interruption of the blood supply to part of the brain caused by either a blood clot (ischemic) or bleeding...
-
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection of the bladder, kidneys, ureters, or urethra. E. coli, a type of bacteria that...
-
Urinary Tract Infections in Children
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common in children. Symptoms and signs include fever and abdominal pain. Associated...
Other Causes of Bladder Spasms
- Advancing Age
- Alcohol Consumption
- Bladder Surgery
- Certain Foods
- Medications
- Muscle System Atrophy (Shy-Drager Syndrome)
- Prostatectomy
- Recent Childbirth
- Urge Incontinence
- Urinary Catheter Use
Examples of Medications for Bladder Spasms
From 
Subscribe to MedicineNet's Women's Health Newsletter
By clicking "Submit," I agree to the MedicineNet Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. I also agree to receive emails from MedicineNet and I understand that I may opt out of MedicineNet subscriptions at any time.
