What is multiple sclerosis (MS)?

What is multiple sclerosis?

Multiple sclerosis is a degenerative condition that affects the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord communication). This can interfere with cognitive and bodily functions including control of the bladder and bowel. Learn more about multiple sclerosis

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Introduction to multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease in which the insulating covers of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord are damaged. The term ‘sclerosis’ actually means scarring, and ‘multiple’ relates to the fact that the scarring can occur in many different places in the brain and spinal cord.

The central nervous system

Consisting of many nerve fibres, the central nervous system carries messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to different parts of the body. Nerve fibres are surrounded by a protective sheath of myelin, which helps to insulate them and ensure that the messages they carry – the nerve impulses – travel quickly and correctly. In people with multiple sclerosis, the myelin sheath around nerve fibres becomes damaged or scarred. This interrupts the messages carried by the nerves and can interfere with a wide range of bodily functions.

Multiple sclerosis can lead to

Bladder and bowel symptoms
Physical limitations
Fatigue
Cognitive impairment

There are four types of multiple sclerosis characterised by the pattern in which the symptoms occur. These are:

Relapsing remitting
Primary progressive
Secondary progressive
Benign

In Europe and North America, multiple sclerosis affects one in 800 people, making this illness the most common cause of neurological disability in young adults. Symptoms are typically first seen between the ages of 20 and 40. Multiple sclerosis is approximately twice as common in women as in men. It is not known what causes multiple sclerosis, although it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

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Many people with multiple sclerosis have neurogenic bladder dysfunction, which means a decreased ability to control the bladder. Some people may find that they need to urinate more frequently or urgently, whereas others may experience difficulty emptying the bladder or a feeling of incomplete emptying.

Bladder problems, if left untreated, can be severely detrimental to the course of the disease and subsequently have a high impact on quality of life.
The symptoms below may be one of the first indications of having multiple sclerosis but they may also develop during the course of the illness.

Urinary incontinence

Urinary leakage
Small or large amounts of urine leaking without warning or without feeling the urge to go to the toilet
Involuntarily leakage when sneezing, coughing, laughing or exercising
A sudden urge to rush to the toilet to urinate
The need to get up to pass urine two or more times a night (nocturia)

Urinary retention

Urinary hesitancy which is difficulty initiating urination
Urgent sense to urinate but inability to start the urinary flow
Frequent visits to toilet
Dribble due to overflow incontinence
Weak flow
Bloated lower abdomen

Urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections have a harmful effect on multiple sclerosis and may even contribute to relapse. When the body tries to fight the infection, it triggers excess immune activity and demylelination (destruction to the coating that protects the nerves). Therefore it is extremely important to regularly empty your bladder in order to avoid urinary tract infections in the first place.

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Products that can help to manage bladder problems associated with multiple sclerosis:

Learn more about neurogenic bladder and how to take care of your bladder.

Multiple sclerosis and taking care of the bladder

Taking care of your bladder

Multiple sclerosis affects people differently and many will experience bladder problems. Various treatments are available to help manage your bladder and improve general health. If left untreated, bladder control problems can cause other health concerns. How to take care of your bladder

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Taking care of your bladder

Managing bladder issues

There are a number of treatments and products available to help manage your bladder. Luckily bladder issues are one of the most treatable symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Treating urinary retention

If you have difficulty emptying your bladder or experience incomplete bladder emptying, your healthcare professional will determine if you need to use an intermittent catheter. Your first step will be to find a catheter that fits you and your lifestyle. It is important that you follow the guidance in terms of technique and how often you need to catheterise.

Dealing with urinary incontinence

Though less common than urinary retention, sudden and complete emptying of the bladder, also called leakage, can also be associated with multiple sclerosis. Incontinence pads are often used, however, collecting devices such as a urisheath and urine bag provide a far more comfortable and effective solution for many men with urinary incontinence. Urisheaths are worn over the penis like a condom and connect to a discreet urine bag. It is important you use the right size urisheath while finding the right collecting bag depends on how much you leak.

Urinary tract infections

The presence of bacteria in the urinary tract is quite common and does not always cause a urinary tract infection. If, however, the bacteria grow and multiply to a certain level, they may cause an infection of the urinary tract that needs treatment.

Symptoms of urinary tract infections

Symptoms of a urinary tract infection vary and may be subtle. They include:

Dark-coloured and strong-smelling urine
Cloudy urine
Blood in the urine
Fever/sweating
Bladder spasms
Increased muscle contractions in your leg

If you experience any of the symptoms listed, you should consult your healthcare professional.

Avoiding urinary tract infections

While there is no definite solution to avoiding urinary tract infections, there are a number of precautions that can help you prevent and sidestep recurrent infections:

Generous intake of fluids – at least 1.5 litres a day
Good personal hygiene when you catheterise
Catheterisation routines – completely emptying the bladder regularly
Healthy digestion – a good bowel routine may reduce the risk of urinary tract infections

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Following the right technique and using a hydrophilic coated catheter can also help reduce the number of urinary tract infections you experience. Products that can help to manage bladder problems:

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FAQs about multiple sclerosis and issues related to bladder function

Frequently asked questions about multiple sclerosis bladder issues

Find the answers to the most commonly asked questions about multiple sclerosis and issues related to bladder function. FAQs about multiple sclerosis

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Frequently asked questions

This FAQ is intended as a guide to commonly asked questions. Please always consult your healthcare professional regarding bladder and bowel issues.

What are the symptoms?

Some of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis are:

Urinary incontinence
Urinary retention
Faecal incontinence
Physical limitations
Fatigue
Cognitive impairment

However, it is unlikely that a person with multiple sclerosis will experience all of these symptoms and each person is affected differently depending on how much and where the nerves have been damaged.

Can multiple sclerosis be treated?

There are many treatments available to help manage the symptoms of multiple sclerosis – some medicines may potentially slow the progression of the disease (disease-modifying drugs). The treatment chosen will depend entirely on the individual. There are also methods that can be used to help manage specific complications of multiple sclerosis, such as bladder and bowel problems.

Why does multiple sclerosis cause bladder problems?

The bladder, which stores urine, is controlled by the nervous system. Because multiple sclerosis damages nerves, bladder function may be affected. Some people find that they need to urinate more frequently or urgently, whereas others experience difficulty emptying the bladder. Some people with multiple sclerosis may experience occasional urinary incontinence.

How can bladder issues be managed?

A number of methods can be used to help manage bladder problems, including catheters, sheaths (for men) and absorbent products such as incontinence pads and pants.

Find out more

Following the right technique and using a hydrophilic coated catheter can also help reduce the number of urinary tract infections you experience. Products that can help to manage bladder problems:

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Understanding what are the best products for you and how to use them is an important part of managing your symptoms for urinary incontinence. Use the video animations as a guide to see how to use our products. View all bladder video guides

Find nearby toilets - wherever you are

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Julie was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2007, at the age of 27. As a result, she began experiencing urinary symptoms and had to start using catheters. Julie shares how using SpeediCath Compact catheters has impacted her life.

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"SpeediCath is life changing"

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"This catheter has changed my life completely"

From the ‘dark days’ of being housebound by his bladder, Dan is able to do more and feels more “Dan” again, with the help of SpeediCath® Compact Male.

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"This catheter has changed my life completely"

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What is multiple sclerosis (MS)?