Degenerative disc disease can indeed cause urinary incontinence, a condition marked by the unintentional leakage of urine. This connection stems from spinal degeneration impacting nerves responsible for bladder control. Pressure on specific nerves transmitting signals between the brain and bladder can disrupt normal urinary function.
Understanding Degenerative Disc Disease and Its Nerve Impact
Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition where spinal discs, which cushion vertebrae, wear down over time. This is a natural part of aging for many. Discs can lose water, height, and flexibility, potentially leading to cracks or tears. As discs degenerate, they may bulge or herniate.
This degeneration can affect spinal nerves. When a disc bulges or herniates, it can press against nearby nerves. As discs lose height, the space for nerves to exit the spine can narrow, and bone spurs may form, further compressing nerves.
Nerve compression is significant when it involves the sacral nerves (S2, S3, S4), which originate from the lower spinal cord. These nerves are crucial for bladder control. A collection of these nerves at the end of the spinal cord is the cauda equina, resembling a horse’s tail. Compression of the cauda equina or sacral nerves can disrupt signals vital for proper bladder function.
How Nerve Compression Affects Bladder Control
When nerves controlling bladder function, especially the sacral nerves and cauda equina, experience compression, communication between the brain and bladder becomes impaired. This disruption can lead to bladder dysfunction, often called neurogenic bladder.
One common outcome is urinary incontinence, the involuntary leakage of urine. This can manifest as an inability to hold urine, or as overflow incontinence, where the bladder becomes overly full and leaks due to difficulty emptying completely. Nerve compression can also reduce awareness of bladder fullness, making it harder to know when to urinate.
Another issue is urinary retention, where individuals have difficulty fully emptying their bladder. This can lead to a constant feeling of needing to urinate or a weak, interrupted urine stream. If the bladder is not emptied properly, it can become distended, contributing to overflow incontinence and increasing the risk of urinary tract infections. Increased urinary frequency can also result from altered nerve signals.
Recognizing Symptoms and When to Seek Medical Care
Recognizing symptoms of nerve-related bladder dysfunction linked to degenerative disc disease is important for medical intervention. Symptoms include new-onset urinary incontinence, difficulty initiating urination, or a weaker urine stream. Changes in sensation around the genital or anal area, often described as “saddle anesthesia,” where numbness occurs in the areas that would touch a saddle, can also indicate nerve involvement.
These bladder symptoms, especially with back pain, leg weakness, or numbness, suggest nerve compression affecting the lower spinal cord or its nerve roots. While degenerative disc disease is common, bladder issues warrant prompt evaluation. A healthcare professional can assess symptoms and determine the underlying cause.
In severe instances, significant nerve compression, such as that seen in cauda equina syndrome, constitutes a medical emergency. This condition occurs when the cauda equina nerves at the base of the spinal cord are severely compressed. Symptoms can progress rapidly and may include severe bladder and bowel dysfunction, loss of sensation in the saddle area, and significant leg weakness. Early diagnosis and treatment, often involving emergency surgery, are important to prevent permanent nerve damage. Anyone experiencing such symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.