Bladder and bowel incontinence

How does MS impact your bladder and bowel?

Your brain sends signals to control parts of your body, including the bladder and bowel, but multiple sclerosis (MS) can damage these connective signals.

Bladder dysfunction

Bladder dysfunction can develop because MS blocks or delays the nerve signals that support bladder control and manage the bladder and urinary sphincter. This can happen both at night and during the day.

The good news is that it can usually be managed quite successfully. Treatment strategies include:

• Managing your diet and fluids
• Lifestyle factors including exercise
• Taking certain medications
• Intermittent or ongoing catheterisation (inserting a thin tube into the bladder to remove urine)

Bowel dysfunction

While symptoms of bowel dysfunction can be broad – including urgency, frequency and constipation – there are simple approaches you can take to help reduce these.

Your doctor or continence nurse can put together a simple plan to tackle bowel dysfunction. This plan could include:

• Drinking enough water every day (about 8 cups per day)
• Eating a balanced and healthy diet every day
• Reducing physical activity when symptoms occur and immediately after eating/drinking
• Monitoring the impacts of any medications with your doctor