It is not at all uncommon for people with multiple sclerosis to experience some kind of incontinence. Although these continence issues are related to either the bladder or bowel, urinary and faecal incontinence can still take multiple forms. For example, one person can suffer diarrhea, another constipation and the third leakages – the stark differences in symptoms thus require proper attention from a professional for tailored advice. In this article, we take a look at the assistance available to people with multiple sclerosis who are experiencing incontinence.
Seeking help when you have continence issues
If you are living with MS and have experienced incontinence in some form, no matter how severe it may be, the best place to start in managing your condition is to talk to your doctor or a nurse. A medical professional will be able to give you advice you can use to help manage your incontinence, whether it be related to either bowel or bladder issues. Advice will typically include adjustments to any prescribed medication, your diet and different aspects of your lifestyle. To ensure the advice is as accurate as possible, it is important to give as much information as possible – you should detail all of your past symptoms, developing symptoms and persistent symptoms. With this information, a medical professional will be able to refer you to a urologist or gastroenterologist in the event there are any serious concerns. In terms of medication, treatments for incontinence are available as over the counter products, but can also be prescribed by your GP, but regardless of the medication you choose, ensure it’s chosen on the advice of a medical professional.
Other organisations you can contact for MS-related continence assistance
Luckily, there are quite a few organisations that can provide assistance to those looking for continence-related support. Support services can vary to a significant degree, and can offer a variety of useful advice and wellbeing-related tips. The Continence Foundation of Australia is an excellent place to start and is a repository of excellent advice for diverse symptoms and situations – although there is no referral necessary to see the trained advisers, it is recommended that you let your doctor know if you plan on visiting. For those looking for a quicker answer to an issue or are strapped for time, the National Continence Helpline is also a good option. As a more general piece of information, the National Public Toilet map details more than 16,000 toilet facility locations across the country. The website www.toiletmap.gov.au also features a trip planner so that toilet breaks for short and long journeys can be planned appropriately. Another excellent resource is the Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS), a means to provide financial assistance to cover some of the cost of continence products for individuals living with MS.
Get assistance for your continence issues
If you’ve experienced issues with continence during your time with MS, you should be pleased to have learned how many useful health options there are for support. Despite the many options, by far the best place to start is by consulting your GP. They will be able to provide you with great advice, point you in the right direction and prescribe anything you might need. With a little nit of further understanding, you’ll be able to manage your continence in no time at all.