This inability to void urine (i.e. pee) can easily lead to a urinary tract infection, bladder infection, and/or kidney infection. Urine reflux can also lead to a kidney infection as well as putting too much pressure on the kidney and thus interfering with its normal functioning.
Those who experience the opposite - incontinence - may suffer embarrassment due to odor or wetness. Urinary incontinence also leads to a heightened risk of a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Symptoms of shingles-induced neurogenic bladder include:
- Combined pain and numbness in the affected area, and;
- Either an inability to urinate, or;
- Significantly reduced output of urine, or;
- Inability to feel the need to void, or;
- Incontinence.
The longer the pain from shingles persists, the higher the risk of developing neurogenic bladder. Likewise, the sooner pain can be managed after contracting neurogenic bladder, the better the chances for an eventual full recovery of bladder function. In other words, for both prevention and treatment, pain management is key.
See also: Neurogenic Bowel