Question:  What’s the best way to prevent UTIs when you have a neurogenic bladder?

Answer:  Unfortunately, Urinary Tract Infections are common in patients with neurogenic bladder. Patients with neurogenic bladder often have a harder time completely emptying their bladder. They also are often unable to sense that the bladder is full, resulting in them holding urine for too long.  Some patients also self-catheterize or use indwelling catheters, which can present complications leading to a UTI.

Of course, the best treatment of a UTI is prevention.

Below are 2 simple steps that patients living with neurogenic bladders can take to avoid bladder infections.

Keep things clean.

It stands to reason that keeping yourself, and any equipment used to assist with voiding, hygienic can help keep bacteria at bay. Be sure to properly clean your body and any external catheters after each use. Always wash hands before and after self-catheterizing.  During a short-term infection, change indwelling catheters and be sure that the bladder fully empties to prevent urine from remaining in the bladder for too long.

Develop a voiding schedule.

While many things are considered when deciding when to catheterize, including patient and caregiver schedules and urine production, steps should be taken to ensure that the bladder is emptied frequently to prevent infections. Develop a schedule that works for you and stick to it.

UTIs can cause many complications for people with Neurogenic Bladder, including decreased quality of life and other serious health concerns. If you are experiencing any common signs of a UTI, call your doctor.

Common signs of a UTI:

• Fever

• Urinary incontinence/leaking around the catheter

• Cloudy urine

• Spasticity

• Back pain

• Bladder pain

• Lethargy

• Painful or difficult urination

• Sudden, high blood pressure

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, make an appointment to see your doctor. Your doctor can prescribe you an antibiotic that will clear up the infection within the week. In the meantime, you can check out our guide on the 12 Best Home Remedies For UTIs. And if you keep getting UTIs and aren’t sure why, check out our post on recurrent UTIs to learn more about why this happens and what you can do.

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