With an irritable bladder, the muscles that control the bladder spasm or contract involuntarily, causing a frequent and urgent need to urinate. This condition, which is sometimes called urge incontinence, can happen both during the day and at night and it can lead to incontinence. In some cases, the cause of irritable bladder can be hard to determine, but there are also several known causes.
Bacterial Infections
The bladder or urinary tract can be infected by bacteria, which can lead to urge incontinence, according to the Johns Hopkins Symptoms and Remedies website. Such infections may also cause pain or burning sensations when urinating, cloudy urine, strong smelling urine or blood in the urine. Doctors prescribe antibiotics to help clear up the infection and resolve the symptoms.
Bladder Stones
Any type of obstruction in the bladder can cause the bladder to contract abnormally, leading to an irritable bladder. According to MayoClinic.com, this includes bladder stones, which are a crystallized buildup of minerals in the bladder. These stones are more likely to form when there are conditions that inhibit the bladder from emptying completely. In some cases the stones are eventually passed out of the body without treatment, and in other cases they remain and cause symptoms.
Neurological Conditions
The nervous system is responsible for telling the bladder when to empty by sensing when it is full. It then sends signals to the bladder muscles to contract. Diseases and conditions that affect the functioning of the nervous system can interfere with this process and cause the bladder muscles to contract or spasm. The National Institutes of Health notes that these conditions include Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and nerve damage from a stroke. Diseases that affect the structure of the spine, such as arthritis, can also place pressure on the nerves that control bladder function.
Enlarged Prostate
The National Association for Continence states that an enlarged prostate can also lead to an urgent need to urinate. It is a common problem in men starting in middle age when the prostate gland begins to grow. The enlarged prostate can press on the bladder and cause urge incontinence along with sensations that the bladder cannot be emptied.
