Abstract: Help for MS (Multiple Sclerosis) Bladder Problems

Mary Dierich, MSN, RN-CS. "Help for MS Bladder Problems." Companion: A Publication from the members of the Consortium of MS Centers (Winter 1997).

Objectives:
* To educate patients about the bladder problems associated with multiple sclerosis. Dierich discusses the types of bladder dysfunction which commonly occur in MS patients, and treatment options.

Conclusions:
* Bladder dysfunction in MS patients usually takes one of four forms:

1) "Irritable bladder," in which the bladder doesn't stretch easily to hold an appropriate volume, resulting in small, frequent voidings. Voidings sometimes occur spontaneously, making it difficult for the patient to reach the bathroom without leaking urine on the way. This condition can be treated with medications to help relax the bladder, or pelvic muscle stimulation using a small electrical current.
2) Incomplete emptying of the bladder, resulting from spasticity of the pelvic muscles surrounding the urethra. Muscle relaxants can be prescribed to improve the situation.
3) Leakage of urine as a consequence of weak pelvic muscles. This problem can be related to MS medications, but can also be caused by childbirth, spinal cord injury, prolapse of the organs, or previous bladder surgeries. Like irritable bladder, it can be treated by pelvic muscle stimulation. An exercise program to strengthen the pelvic muscles can also resolve this problem.
4) Urine leakage, frequent trips to the bathroom, and weak urine stream, resulting from flaccidity of the bladder muscle (the bladder becomes flaccid, or over-stretched from accommodating excessive volumes of urine).

* Dierich reassures MS patients that their bladder problems are often simple to treat, and encourages them to let their doctors know if they are experiencing urinary dysfunction.

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