#054: Living Fully with MS. Managing Bladder and Bowel Disorders

MS-Perspektive - The Multiple Sclerosis Podcast

Learn more about strategies, tools and medications to manage bladder and bowel symptoms associated with MS to regain your quality of life.

You can find the full article to read on my blog: https://ms-perspektive.com/54-bladder-bowel

This time it’s about bladder and bowel disorders caused by multiple sclerosis. Around two thirds of all people with MS have at least one episode of impaired bladder and bowel function. This is triggered by inflammation that impedes the transmission of stimuli from the brain via the spinal cord to the bladder and bowel.

Unfortunately, it is a classic taboo subject, although it does not only affect MS patients. Women after childbirth, but also many men, have such problems. It’s just that almost nobody talks about it.

Thanks to a wide range of support services, you don’t have to limit yourself.

Table of Contents

• When do bladder and bowel disorders occur in multiple sclerosis?
• What types of bladder and bowel disorders are associated with MS?
• What can you do yourself if you have bladder and bowel dysfunction?
• What aids and medication are available for bladder and bowel disorders?
• What can you do in acute phases?
• And if bladder and bowel disorders remain permanent?
• What is the best prevention against bladder and bowel disorders?
• Food for thought
• Question to you

Food for thought

Talk to your neurologist about your bladder or bowel disorder, regardless of whether it occurs acutely or whether you have had it for a long time and have been afraid to talk about it.

Help is available in many different ways. But you must address the problem and ask for support. Your doctor can advise you and you can work out a strategy together on how to deal with the problem. As much as necessary and as little as possible is certainly a good way. After all, if you can initially counteract the problem with your own measures, you will have further options if the symptom worsens.

But please don’t wait too long, as this could exacerbate the bladder and/or bowel dysfunction. In addition, resulting infections can worsen other MS symptoms or even trigger inflammatory activity. And if it’s acute, bold intervention may also be the best choice.

Question to you

Do you suffer from bladder or bowel problems?

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See you soon and try to make the best out of your life, Nele

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