Multiple Sclerosis and Incontinence

Individuals that suffer from multiple sclerosis often suffer from bladder and bowel complications. One of the most common issues experienced is referred to as incontinence. It has been established that at least 80% of all people that suffer from MS will experience some type of bladder and/or bowel difficulty during the progression of the disease.

This is due to the fact that the signals that transmit to and away from the brain are hindered as a result of the disease. The transmission of these signals may be completely interrupted or just slowed. There are muscles that are responsible for the act of emptying out the bladder and the bowel in the body. When signals are interrupted to and from the brain to this group of muscles, problems are likely to occur.

Incontinence Defined

Incontinence is the inability to engage in the control of the elimination of urine and/or defecation from the body. When an individual is unable to control the urinary output that is experienced in the body, it is referred to as urinary incontinence. When an individual is unable to control the defecation output of the body, this is referred to as fecal incontinence.

Many medical professionals may also refer to this condition as bowel incontinence. When an individual experiences this condition, it is not considered to be a medical condition in itself. It is considered to be a symptom of another condition. If an individual has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, incontinence would be considered a symptom of that particular disease.

Treatments for MS Incontinence

There are many different treatments that may be incorporated into a multiple sclerosis patient's care when they suffer from incontinence. It is important to understand that when a doctor prescribes a treatment plan for an individual that suffers from incontinence of the bowels and/or the bladder, they customize the prescription for the individual - not the issue as a generality. One of the first treatments are dietary changes.

Immediately following that, medications may be prescribed that will assist in controlling the movements of the muscles that are associated with the bladder and bowel movements. In many instances, medical procedures may be performed. The most common is a standard catheterization, and the next medical procedure may include mechanical based aids that assist in controlling the muscles associated with the bowels and bladder.

Physical Complications Associated with Incontinence

There are many physical complications that may occur when an individual suffers from incontinence. This is especially true of the individual has multiple sclerosis and suffers from incontinence of the bladder. The physical complications include, but are not limited to the following:

• Many will experience an increased number of infections. The most common types of infections are bladder and urinary tract infections. In some instances, yeast infections may occur as well.

• Those that are unable to control their urine may experience irritations on and around the skin that is located near the groin area.

• Sleep complications are very common among those that experience incontinence.

If you have multiple sclerosis and have been experiencing incontinence, it is important to ensure that you follow the orders issued by your doctor closely. These directions will assist in your reaching a higher level of comfort and living a higher quality of life.