What type of incontinence is common in multiple sclerosis?

Many people with MS experience a range of bladder problems, including urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence may range from occasional leaks when coughing or sneezing to sudden urges to urinate throughout the day, sometimes leaking before making it to the bathroom.

Is incontinence common in MS?

Often, in MS patients, the coordination of these muscles can be affected, which leads to incontinence problems. Most bowel incontinence issues are caused by constipation, which in turn can lead to overflow incontinence. If a person is less mobile due to MS, this can lead to sluggish bowels and constipation.

Can MS cause bladder incontinence?

Incontinence is the loss of bladder control. Sometimes, MS will disrupt the nerve signals that direct the movement of urine in your body so that it comes out when you're not ready. Nocturia means you have to get up a lot during the night to go to the bathroom.

How does multiple sclerosis affect the bladder?

As a result of MS, the detrusor muscle in the wall of the bladder involuntarily contracts, increasing the pressure in the bladder and decreasing the volume of urine the bladder can hold. This causes symptoms of going frequently, urgently, leaking urine, or interfering with a good night's sleep.

Does MS cause overactive bladder?

As MS lesions develop, they affect transmission of nerve signals between the brain and the nerves that control the bladder and urinary sphincters. This leads to an overactive bladder that cannot hold a full capacity of urine in the patient.

Multiple sclerosis and incontinence

What does MS incontinence feel like?

In overactive bladder, the muscles controlling the bladder contract involuntarily and too frequently before the bladder actually fills with urine, according to the National MS Society. This can lead to symptoms such as: Urgency, an intense feeling that you need to urinate immediately.

Can MS cause neurogenic bladder?

Because of the impact that multiple sclerosis has on the central nervous system, particularly in functions of the lower parts of the body, neurogenic bladder is common for MS patients — with 80 percent of patients complaining of bladder dysfunction.

What are the symptoms of neurogenic bladder?

What neurological disorders cause loss of bladder control?

A variety of neurological diseases and disorders, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury, stroke, spina bifida, and hydrocephalus (abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain) can cause problems with bladder control.

What is the most common cause of a neurogenic bladder?

Neurogenic bladder is the name given to a number of urinary conditions in people who lack bladder control due to a brain, spinal cord or nerve problem. This nerve damage can be the result of diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease or diabetes.

What is the most common complication of a neurogenic bladder?

Bladder infections are the most common complication of neurogenic bladder.

Does MS affect bladder control?

Impairments in bladder function with multiple sclerosis (MS) are common and may affect up to 78 to 90 percent of patients during the course of MS.