What are some bladder management points to remember if I have 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.