Bladder dysfunction occurs when MS lesions block or delay transmission of nerve signals in areas of the central nervous system that control the bladder and urinary sphincter. The sphincter is the muscle surrounding the opening of the bladder, that controls the storage and outflow of urine. It is this muscle that gives people voluntary control over urination.
Symptoms and Complications
Symptoms of bladder dysfunction can include:
Frequency and/or urgency of urination
Hesitancy in starting urination
Frequent nighttime urination (known as nocturia)
Incontinence (the inability to hold in urine)
These symptoms can be caused by a “spastic” bladder that is unable to hold the normal amount of urine, or by a bladder that does not empty properly and retains some urine in it. Retaining urine can lead to complications such as repeated infections or kidney damage.
Left untreated, bladder dysfunction also could cause emotional and personal hygiene problems that can interfere with normal activities of living and socialization. It is therefore important to seek appropriate medical evaluation and treatment early, so that the cause of the bladder symptoms can be determined and treated, and complications avoided.
Source: National MS Society
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5 comments:
Stu, This is such important information. Just wanted to mention that the symptoms seem to be shaded with something and not readable (at least in Firefox). Thank you for sharing about the bladder, this is one of my biggest challeges.
Diana - Thank you for reading the site
There is no shading of symptoms. Try Chrome or I.E.
Best Regards,
Stuart
I don't know why Firefox does this 'funny' shading but if you just select the shaded area with your mouse the shaded text becomes easily readable.
I just did something that might make it easier to read...
From my end, I did not see anything wrong. But regardless, I reformatted and it should be fine now.
If you would use Google Chrome, you would find it easier and faster to use the internet.
Best Regards
Stuart
MS patients should also know that all bladder dysfunction may not be due entirely to MS. I have this problem and it affects my quality of life greatly. I went for urodynamic testing at Cleveland Clinc and the tests showed there were three causes of my bladder problems: 1) I have a smaller than normal bladder, 2) have a prolapsed bladder which is common after childbirth and can be surgically corrected, and 3) MS - for the reasons described in the article. I was put on medication but it didn't help. Surgery may help for the prolapse but nothing I can do about being born with a small bladder. So investigate the reasons - see a urologist or gynecologist who specializes in this and can to the correct testing. (The testing is very unpleasant but not at all painful.)
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