Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive neurological disease. It is a disease of the central nervous system that interferes with nerve impulses from the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves.
People suffering from MS can report a wide range of symptoms.
The most common symptoms of MS are fatigue, pain, bladder and bowel issues, spasticity, problems with sight, cognitive fog and emotional changes.
It is estimated that more than 25,000 Australians have MS.
The MS bladder
Bladder symptoms are common in individuals with MS. Problems with the bladder may occur in over 80% of people with MS.
Bladder dysfunction develops because multiple sclerosis affects the nerve signals in areas of the central nervous system that controls the bladder and urinary sphincter.
Bladder symptoms may include:
· Urinary urgency and frequency
· Urinary leakage
· Difficulty emptying the bladder
· Waking up several time a night to pass urine
These issues can have a huge impact on one’s quality of life and self-esteem. However, these symptoms are often ignored or tolerated by a person with MS and may sometimes be overlooked by health professionals.
Pelvic floor physiotherapy can help. Physiotherapy treatment may include
· Fluid management,
· Pelvic floor muscle training
· Transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation
Other treatments can include medications and intermittent or continual catheterisation (inserting a thin tube into the bladder to remove urine).
Research has shown that a combination of treatments often provide greater benefits for individuals with MS that are experiencing bladder problems.
At Better Health we have an experienced Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist that can help. A Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist has experience and training in treating women and men with bladder and bowel problems.
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