Herniated disc incontinence is one of the most troubling symptoms which may occur in conjunction with a lumbar herniated disc. Incontinence means to lose voluntary control over bowel and bladder functions. Some patients with incontinence will lose functionality in both the urinary and fecal capacities, while others may only lose one or the other. It is important to know that there are many reasons for incontinence to occur, but all symptoms should be reported to your doctor immediately to rule out serious neurological issues which may lead to permanent nerve damage.
This essay examines why incontinence may be expressed in lumbar disc pain sufferers.
Causes of Herniated Disc Incontinence
When a lumbar herniation compresses the cauda equina structure, many nerve roots can be impinged upon, affecting the entire lower body. Typically, when this occurs, the patient will have trouble walking, controlling their bowels or bladder and may also have a variety of other symptoms commonly associated with sciatica, including pain, tingling, numbness or weakness in the buttocks, genitals, legs and/or feet.
Spinal sources of incontinence are likely to produce wide ranging herniated disc symptoms, including the loss of bladder or bowel control. Patients who suffer a slow progressive loss of bladder or bowel function are unlikely to be suffering from symptoms which are disc-related.
Some progressive and slow developing incontinence concerns are rooted in processes which affect the bladder or bowels themselves, rather than the nerves which innervate these structures.
However, central spinal stenosis may bring on slow onset symptoms as the canal narrowing worsens. This is true regardless of where in the spine the stenosis resides.
Incontinence Caused by a Herniated Disc
Cauda equina syndrome can lead to lasting or permanent nerve damage in rare cases. Sometimes, surgery is the only emergency solution for this condition and the operation itself may do more harm than good. Unfortunately, in these extreme circumstances, the patient has little choice but to go under the knife and hope for a positive result.
Many patients endure partial incontinence conditions in association with an ischemia syndrome. These types of symptoms are virtually never properly diagnosed and may lead to a variety of unsuccessful therapy attempts. In cases of unsolved or unresolved incontinence, which may be related to a mindbody causative mechanism, consider knowledge therapy as a potentially effective alternative treatment modality.
Herniated Disc Incontinence Advisory
The inability to control one’s bladder or bowels is a highly sensitive and troubling condition for anyone to bear. The syndrome is very scary and most affected patients fear for their future. Fortunately, the majority of cases can be successfully treated without lasting damage and most patients return to a normal life after resolution of the symptoms.
Early warning signs of this condition include loss of feeling in the anus, perineum or genitals, or leaking in between urination or bowel movements. If you suffer from these symptoms, as well as others commonly associated with a herniated lumbar disc, the conditions may well be related to a singular spinal source.
If you do not have a herniated disc which is definitely implicated in causing nerve compression, or do not feel it is involved in the bladder or bowel issues, then consider consulting with a team of doctors for new diagnostic evaluation. Usually, this will entail a complete diagnostic check of all structures involved, from the spine to the bladder to the bowels.
Herniated Disc > Herniated Disc Symptoms > Herniated Disc Incontinence
