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This type of bladder dysfunction occurs if the spinal cord damage occurs above the sacral micturition centre S2-S4.
People with spinal cord damage above the sacral micturition centre can develop what is known as a 'reflex bladder', which means cramps in the bladder wall and in the urethra's outer sphincter muscle.
Characteristics:
- The bladder contracts when the urethra is closed, even though it should be open.
- Spontaneous urine emptying during the bladder's filling phase in connection with external stimulation of the genital area or pressure on the bladder.
- The feeling of needing to empty the bladder, even though the connection between the bladder and the central nervous system is impaired.
- The feeling of an urge to urinate, because the connections are not completely severed, even though the damage is extensive.
- Involuntary bladder contractions, because the bladder muscle still has emptying strength, which can lead to involuntary urine leakage between emptyings.
- Residual urine in the bladder, because the ability to contract is not enough to ensure the bladder is emptied completely.
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