ABSTRACT
The field of neuro-urology studies diseases and physiological deviations of the reproductive and lower urinary systems that result from disrupted or damaged neuronal control and transmission. Maintaining unaffected nerve transmission, diffusion, and attenuation at the peripheral level through the nerves of the pelvic region, in addition to neurological centers in the spinal cord and brain, is necessary for the complex regulation of the lower urinary tract (LUT), which is made up of the bladder, urethra, and muscular 312sphincters. The urinary system’s two main, incompatible functions— the bladder’s urine at reduced pressure and rarely, consciously complete emptying of the bladder—can be easily switched between, thanks to, this complicated neurological system. However, the LUT’s neurological system is prone to failure because of its complexity. As a result, many people with neurological conditions, trauma, or anomalies such as spinal cord damage, multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and spina bifida experience functional impairment of the LUT. In addition to the frequent and urgent desire to urinate, these functional abnormalities can also cause frequent urination throughout the day or at night, uncontrollable urine loss (incontinence), pain, and the inability to entirely or partially empty the bladder. Infections that spread to the renal pelvis and the kidneys might worsen bladder infections, which can potentially occur from them.
These worries are not just annoying; a patient’s general quality of life may be considerably lowered if they experience regular episodes of an unexpected, strong urge to urinate. Some patients dread leaving their homes because they worry about finding a restroom in time or about embarrassing themselves in front of others. In addition, several functional problems with the lower urinary system can cause irreparable injury to the lower and higher (renal) urinary tracts and reduce lifespan if left untreated. As a result, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in functional urology and neurourology have the potential to greatly improve the health and quality of life of those who have functional abnormalities of the LUT. The practice of urological rehabilitation for paraplegic patients led to the development of the urology specialist known as neuro-urology in the 1970s. Although it is a new discipline, it is very dynamic. Significant treatment success during the past few decades has been made possible by the quick accumulation of knowledge. For instance, appropriate diagnosis and treatment that permits avoiding late sequelae (like renal impairment) caused by concurrent functional issues of the LUT over time could greatly increase life expectancy after a spinal cord injury (SCI). Because both sexes can be affected equally, patients in neuro-urology will have equal examinations, consultations, and care.
