Urinary and bowel issues should be taken very seriously as they can be a sign of a severe underlying condition. Many issues related to bowel control originate in the spine. In this article we will discuss the different conditions and injuries of the spine that can lead to loss of bladder control, and also talk about the importance of diagnosing and treating these conditions as soon as possible.

Spine Conditions Causing Urinary Issues

There are several conditions involving the spine that can lead directly to urinary or bowel issues. Here are a few possible causes of bladder or bowel control issues:

• Pinched Nerve – when a disc or other structure near the spine compresses a spinal nerve.
• Herniated or bulging disc – a spinal disc rupture that can negatively impact nerves.
• Injury to the spinal cord – such as a sports injury or car crash injury.
• Spinal Stenosis – a narrowing of the spine that can impact nerves.

It is also possible that your back pain and bowel issues are related to a completely different cause (such as IBS – Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or an overactive bladder). Regardless of the underlying cause, bladder control loss should be taken very seriously and be addressed by a qualified physician right away. 

What to Do

Treatment options for this type of injury really depend on the root cause of the urinary or bowel issues. If the loss of feeling or control is related to an injury or compressed nerve in the spinal cord, surgery may be necessary to release and repair the impacted nerve and restore functionality.

If you are experiencing bladder control issues, with or without back pain, see your doctor immediately. You may need emergency surgery to correct the issue and prevent further (perhaps permanent) loss of feeling or control.

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