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My bladder, my life

Bladder management

  • Bladder types
  • Starting with catheters
  • Problems
  • Life hacks
  • Inside the bladder
  • Equipment
Inside the bladder
  • Anatomy and physiology of the bladder
    • Anatomy of the bladder
    • Physiology of the bladder
  • Medical procedures for a SCI bladder
    • Urodynamic study
    • Cystoscopy
    • Sphincterotomy
    • Cystolitholapaxy
    • Bladder augmentation
    • Urethral dilatation
  • Medications and other products you may be prescribed
    • Alpha blockers
    • Anticholinergics
    • Botulinum Toxin (BOTOX)
    • Hiprex and vitamin C
    • Cranberry
    • E. Coli
  • Common medical tests for a SCI bladder
    • Urine specimen
    • Fluid balance diary
    • Renal ultrasound
    • CT- Kidneys, ureters, and bladder (KUB)

    Physiology of the bladder

    The human body needs water to function but it also needs a way to get rid of waste water that it no longer needs. This is where the urinary system comes into play.

    Urination

    The central nervous system has most of the control over bladder emptying but normally we have some control over when and where that happens.

    The part of the nervous system that controls most of the process is called the autonomic system. The autonomic nervous system works without you having to think about it. It controls things like your heart rate and blood pressure, as well as your bowel and bladder function.

    When the bladder needs to empty the main bladder muscle and the valves (sphincters) work together:

    • The external sphincter (the one you control) relaxes.
    • The internal sphincter (the one that’s controlled automatically) relaxes and at the same time the bladder muscle contracts. This allows the urine to drain out of the urethra.

    Once the bladder is empty the process is reversed; the sphincters tighten to prevent urine leaking out, and the bladder muscle relaxes so it may stretch and fill up again.

    Anatomy of the bladder
    Medical procedures for a SCI bladder

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    Quick links

    • Bladder types
    • Starting with catheters
    • Problems
    • Life hacks
    • Inside the bladder
    • Equipment

    About this resource

    This web resource is part of a research project to improve bladder management at the Austin, by increasing the use of intermittent catheterisation.

    The research project is funded by TAC.

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    This research project is brought to you by

    Austin Health
    TAC
    ISCRR
    WorkSafe

    Contacts

    Austin Health
    03 9496 5000
    Victorian Spinal Cord Service
    03 9496 5220
    Spinal Urology Nurse
    03 9496 5904
    spinalurologynurse@austin.org.au
    VSCS outpatient Nurse
    03 9496 5176
    vscsoutpatients@austin.org.au

    Disclaimer

    This information has been developed for Austin Health use and has been specifically designed for Austin Health. This information is intended to support, not replace, discussion with your doctor or healthcare professionals. The authors have made a considerable effort to ensure the information is accurate, up to date and easy to understand. Austin Health accepts no responsibility for any inaccuracies, information perceived as misleading, or the success of any treatment regimen detailed on this website. Written information should only be used in conjunction with advice from the health professional who is looking after you.

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