When the nerve signals to the bladder or the urinary sphincter are delayed due to lesions on the spinal cord, it results in MS bladder problems or Multiple Sclerosis bladder problems. It could be the result of the bladder being spastic, due to which it doesn’t hold the urine or the bladder does not empty completely because the sphincter is spastic. If left untreated, Multiple Sclerosis bladder problems can result in permanent damage to the urinary tract. Incomplete emptying of the bladder can cause urinary tract infections and the formation of stones from the minerals present in the urine. Constantly passing or leaking urine can result in the breakdown of skin and infection. MS bladder problems can lead to the patient not socializing or restricting normal daily activities.
Causes of Multiple sclerosis bladder spasms
MS bladder symptoms can take one of several forms. It can result in hesitancy in passing urine even when there is an urgency to do so. On some occasion, no urine may be passed at all. Another form of MS bladder problem is an urgency to urinate. This could also result in an increase in the frequency of urinating and multiple sclerosis bladder spasms. This usually happens at night, causing sleep disturbance. Finally, the symptom could take the form of incontinence where there is a sudden urge to urinate with the flow starting immediately. Or, there could be dribbling or leaking without any warning or sensation at all.
Managing Multiple Sclerosis bladder problems
There are several treatments available that can help with resolving Multiple Sclerosis bladder problems. Intermittent self-catheterization is commonly employed by people suffering from this symptom. It involves the insertion of a thin tube into the bladder for the urine to flow out. People find that bladder function becomes normal after weeks or months of trying this method. There are behavioural therapies which include regulating and timing the intake of fluids and then urinating on a regular schedule rather than waiting for the urge. A restriction on diet includes reducing the intake of caffeine, alcohol and orange juice. Surgery is often a last option. This option is utilized when the patient suffering from MS bladder problems does not respond to any other form of treatment.
Drugs to manage Multiple Sclerosis bladder problemsinclude Zanaflex and Lioresal to relax the muscle when the patient wants to, but cannot pass urine. Ditropan reduces multiple sclerosis bladder spasms and Minipress, promotes the flow of urine.
