Bladder autonomic control

De Biasi M, Nigro F, Xu W Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the autonomic control of bladder func-... 

In the peripheral nervous system, norepinephrine is an important neurotransmitter in the sympathetic branch of the autonomic system. Sympathetic nerve transmission operates below the level of consciousness in controlling physiological function of many organs and tissues of the body. The sympathetic system plays a particularly important role in regulating cardiovascular function in response to postural, exertional, thermal, and mental stress. With sympathetic activation, the heart rate is increased, peripheral arterioles are constricted, skeletal arterioles are dilated, and the blood pressure is elevated. In addition, sympathetic nerve stimulation dilates pupils inhibits smooth muscles of the intestines, bronchi, and bladder and closes the sphincters. Sympathetic signals work in balance with the parasympathetic portion of the autonomic nervous system to maintain a stable internal environment. 

Certain chronic diseases of the CNS (eg, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke) are associated with abnormally high reflex activity in the neuronal pathways that control skeletal muscle the result is painful spasm. Bladder and anal sphincter control are also affected in most cases and may require autonomic drugs for management. In other circumstances, acute injury or inflammation of muscle leads to spasm and pain. Such temporaiy spasm can sometimes be reduced with appropriate drug therapy. 

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