MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, notes that bladder trauma, in which a blunt force hits the bladder, does not commonly occur. Bladder trauma can happen when a person falls, sustains an external blow to the bladder or is in a motor vehicle accident. Patients can experience abdominal pain, painful urination and severe bleeding with bladder trauma. Some patients may develop complications if the bladder trauma is severe.
Bilateral Obstructive Uropathy
Bladder trauma patients can develop bilateral obstructive uropathy, which can be acute or chronic. With bilateral obstructive uropathy, blockage of the urine flow from the left and right kidneys occurs. As a result, the kidneys swell. With the acute bilateral obstructive uropathy, the blockage is sudden, while with the chronic bilateral obstructive uropathy, the blockage is slow and gets worse as time passes, according to MedlinePlus. Patients with acute bilateral obstructive uropathy can experience dribbling at the end of urination, blood in their urine, decreased urine output and leakage of urine. Symptoms of chronic bilateral obstructive uropathy include a stronger need to urinate, burning when urinating, urinary hesitancy, and dribbling and incontinence. The Merck Manual Professional Edition adds that the blockage can lead to bladder instability.
Shock
MedlinePlus points out that bladder trauma patients may go into shock, in which case their bodies do not get enough blood. Patients can have a change in consciousness, such as lethargy, drowsiness or coma. Changes to the skin can occur, which include pale skin and cool skin. Other symptoms of shock include sweating or an increased heart rate.
Scar Formation
When the bladder sustains a traumatic injury, scar formation can occur. MedlinePlus notes that these scars can obstruct the urethra, a condition known as obstructive uropathy. Some people may have unilateral obstructive uropathy, in which only ureters, or tubes that drain the urine, on one side of the body become blocked, or bilateral obstructive uropathy. If patients have unilateral obstructive uropathy, they may be acute or chronic.
Urinary Retention
Some patients may develop urinary retention, in which they cannot empty their bladders. MedlinePlus explains that with urinary retention, patients have an increased risk of urinary tract infections. Patients can have cloudy or bloody urine with a urinary tract infection, and may have pain when urinating. They may also have a strong need to urinate. Cramping in the lower abdomen or back can occur with a urinary tract infection.
Peritonitis
Another possible complication of bladder trauma is peritonitis, an infection that affects the membrane that covers the organs in the abdomen and the inner abdominal wall. The MayoClinic.com points out that peritonitis can cause symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever and abdominal bloating. Patients cannot pass stools or gas. Other symptoms include a loss of appetite, fatigue and low urine output.
Reflux Nephropathy
MedlinePlus notes that reflux nephropathy, also called vesicoureteric reflex, may occur as a complication of bladder trauma. With reflux nephropathy, the kidneys become damaged when urine flows back into the kidneys. Patients may only have high blood pressure as a symptom. Some patients may have no symptoms at all, while other patients may have symptoms similar to a urinary tract infection.
References
- Merck Manual Professional Edition: Bladder Trauma
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Traumatic Injury of the Bladder and Urethra
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Urinary Tract Infection
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Acute Bilateral Obstructive Uropathy
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Chronic Bilateral Obstructive Uropathy
