Bladder Problems
Bladder and other urinary problems are common symptoms, affecting 80 percent of MS patients. When the bladder is full, between 4 and 8 ounces, nerves transfer signals to the spinal cord, which warns the brain. The brain and spinal cord transmit the voiding reflex before urinating, synchronizing the two processes. When the bladder’s detrusor muscle contracts, urine is released. The external sphincter, typically tight and closed, relaxes and opens during urination.
Lesions in the CNS that control the bladder and urinary sphincters may induce bladder dysfunction. MS can cause an inability to hold adequate volumes of urine due to a spastic or overactive bladder or inappropriate bladder emptying. Symptoms may include an increased need to pee, urge incontinence, as well an unusual frequency of urine. In addition, MS patients may be more prone to recurrent urinary tract infections and frequent night trips to the restroom.
In some MS patients, catheterization is necessary because of nerve degeneration. Spasms can induce infections of the urinary tract, kidneys, and bladder. Proper bladder function is essential for long-term renal health and infection prevention. Other MS symptoms, such as weakness and numbness, can contribute to increased risks of kidney stones, urosepsis, and skin disintegration. These complications dramatically reduce a patient’s life expectancy.
