Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction in Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
What are some bladder management
points to remember if I have multiple sclerosis (MS)?
Adequate fluid intake is 1½-2 quarts
of fluid a day. The urge to urinate comes about 1½ -2 hours after drinking
something.
Caffeine, aspartame, and alcohol are
all bladder irritants.
Smoking also is irritating to the
bladder.
Limiting fluid is harmful.
It is not normal to leak urine, wake
up more than once at night to urinate, or to have frequent urinary tract
infections.
Bladder infections in people with MS
may result in an increase in MS symptoms, spasticity, and fatigue.
Plan of action
Drink fluids all at once (drink 6 to
8 ounces at a time). If you sip, sip, sip you will feel the urge to urinate
frequently. Try to go about 1½ to 2 hours after you drink.
Stop drinking fluids about 2 hours
before bedtime; urinate right before bedtime.
If you tend to get frequent bladder
infections you are probably not emptying your bladder completely.
Taking cranberry pills may keep your
urine more acidic and decrease the bacteria in your urine.
What are some bowel management
points to remember if I have multiple sclerosis?
The goal is a comfortable bowel
movement (BM) either every day, every other day, or every 2 to 3 days. For
regular bowel movements you need fluid (1½ to 2 quarts a day), fiber (20 to 30
grams a day) and activity.
One-third of a cup of Fiber One®,
All-Bran® or 100% Bran Buds® gives you half the fiber you need for the day.
Greasy foods, spicy foods, or food
intolerances (for example, lactose intolerance) may cause loose stool and may
result in involuntary bowel movements.
Plan of action
Eat regularly for regular bowel
habits. Plan for a bowel movement each day about ½ hour after eating or
drinking something warm (bowel activity is naturally increased at this time).
Sit on the toilet about 10 minutes, and try to have a BM. You may want to
gently rock back and forth on the toilet. If nothing happens, leave the
bathroom and try again later.
Use a suppository to help stimulate
bowel activity. (It takes about 20 minutes for a suppository to work.)
Occasionally, it might help to take milk of magnesia or citrate of magnesia to
stimulate bowel activity.
It may take two to three months to
establish a regular bowel regimen.