Over 78 to 90% of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) struggle with bladder function impairments. In people with MS, when your bowel or bladder becomes full, your body does not effectively send nerve signals to the brain. As a result, people with this condition struggle to safely store and release urine and feces.
But it’s more than that- developing MS can impact myelin and create lesions. Below we discuss in-depth how multiple sclerosis can cause incontinence and ways to treat it:
How Does Multiple Sclerosis Affect Your Body
Multiple sclerosis is a neurological condition that affects your brain and nerves. The illness damages myelin- coating around your nerve fibers- can create scarred areas called lesions.
These lesions destroy the transmission pathway from your brain to the bladder and bowels. Consequently, people struggle to store and fully empty their bladders.
Symptoms Of Multiple Sclerosis
The following are the most often reported MS symptoms, although they can vary greatly and be vague. Only a medical expert can diagnose MS, supported by a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan that can produce precise images of the injured nerve fibers.
- Affect balance and coordination
- Bladder and bowel issues
- Fatigue
- Memory impairment
- Muscle stiffness and spasms
- Pain
- Problems with speech and swallowing
- Tremors
- Vision disturbances
Can Multiple Sclerosis Cause Incontinence?
MS-related nerve damage can alter how the body interprets signals from the brain to the bladder and bowel. It may harm the bladder muscles that hold pee and empty the bladder. MS patients frequently experience these muscles’ coordination issues, causing incontinence issues.
Bladder issues come in several forms and can evolve like other MS symptoms. People could:
- Feel like they need to leave right immediately (urgency)
- Have frequent urination impulses (frequency)
- Struggle to regulate the flow of urine (incontinence)
- Struggle to start urinating or maintain a constant stream (hesitancy)
In reality, some persons may develop urinary retention and need to undergo intermittent catheterization in some way. All of these symptoms typically point to dysfunctional urination-controlling muscles.
Treatment Options for Multiple Sclerosis-Related Incontinence
Treatment options for bladder incontinence caused by MS include medicinal and lifestyle changes. Medical interventions include, for instance:
Medications
Several drugs can lessen the likelihood of incontinence in MS patients. Your existing prescription drugs for MS and other medical issues should be taken into consideration by your doctor.
These drugs lessen the frequency of muscular contractions. However, each prescription has a unique set of potential side effects, such as tiredness, dry mouth, and constipation. It’s crucial to go over the advantages and hazards with your doctor.
Diet Changes
Change the drink you regularly consume as a place to start. Your doctor could advise you to
- Avoid consuming caffeinated beverages, including sodas, tea, and coffee.
- Avoid drinking for a minimum of two hours before going to bed.
- Drink a small glass of water every few hours.
- Limit your daily alcohol consumption.
Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation
Techniques for urge incontinence include percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS), in which a needle electrode provides impulses to the bladder and pelvic floor.
Bladder and Bowel Retraining
Establishing a consistent regimen for your bladder or intestines and teaching your brain to hold on are both components of bowel and bladder retraining. When you first feel the urge to use the restroom, you go and hold it for one minute before you sit down.
Increase the duration until you feel more comfortable with your control. Regulating when you use the restroom is also beneficial. Additionally, it might prevent accidents. Ensure that this is done conveniently and with adequate lead time to avoid anxiety. To evaluate if certain foods or beverages impact function, some people also choose to keep a bladder/bowel journal.
Intermittent Self-catheterization
If you have trouble emptying your bladder, consider intermittent self-catheterization (ISC). ISC involves inserting and removing a tiny tube (catheter) from the urethra after it has emptied the bladder. If you cannot empty your bladder on your own, ISC one or more times a day can help you manage urgency, overnight urination, and leaks.
InterStim
To activate your sacral nerves, a surgeon will insert a device under your skin. It can lessen the signs of urinary retention, bowel incontinence, and overactive bladder.
Summary
Your bladder’s health is vital to your life quality and overall health. It’s critical to discuss any symptoms you have with a medical practitioner. It is possible to manage the majority of symptoms by available treatments, allowing you to lead a life free from obstruction from bladder problems. Moreover, using incontinence products may save you from embarrassment. Therefore, browse Active Life Medical Products for the best quality incontinence products.
How Active Life Medical Products Can Help With Incontinence Supplies
You need a trusted incontinence product supplier when you require incontinence supplies. Active Life Medical Products makes ordering the entire incontinence supply process easy. Our Product Specialists can help you get your prescribed incontinence supplies covered through most insurances. Everything will be delivered directly and discreetly to your front door.
Call Active Life Medical Products at (800) 319-2336 to place your order.
