Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a prevalent multiple sclerosis (MS) consequence that offers special dangers to MS patients. Infections may trigger MS symptoms. So if you have MS, you must know how to spot a UTI.
Symptoms, treatment, and prevention are here.
Bladder issues affect at least 80 percent of MS patients. Inflammation, scarring, and nerve damage in the brain or spinal cord caused by MS may disrupt brain-to-urinary system connections. This may make the bladder have problems retaining and draining pee, causing UTIs.
Barbara Giesser, M.D., a board-certified neurologist and MS expert at Pacific Neuroscience Institute at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, says, “When you have too much pee in your bladder, it’s sort of like a stagnant pool of water—it can produce germs.” Thus, bladder issues may make MS patients more susceptible to UTIs.
According to Giesser, many MS patients with bladder difficulties like incontinence or trouble retaining pee don’t consume enough water to manage their symptoms. Avoiding fluids may cause dehydration and UTIs. Geisser adds, “If you’re very dehydrated, again, it leads to more concentrated urine, which might also predispose you to a UTI.”
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Urinary tract infections often cause:
UTIs in MS patients may present differently. “These typical UTI symptoms may undoubtedly arise in persons with MS—but occasionally they don’t,” Geisser explains. “Sometimes a UTI can aggravate other MS symptoms.” Pseudo-exacerbations or pseudo-relapses worsen MS symptoms without new inflammation or damage. Fever and infection cause these.
UTI-induced MS symptoms may include:
After treating the UTI, MS symptoms should improve.
Antibiotics can treat many UTIs. Bacteria cause UTI symptoms. “Seventy percent of urinary tract infections are due to [the ubiquitous bacterium] E. coli,” says Mercy Medical Center urogynecologist R. Mark Ellerkmann, M.D.
Despite finding bacteria in your bladder during normal blood work, a doctor may only prescribe medication if you have UTI symptoms. If you don’t have symptoms, therapy is usually unnecessary. Bacterial colonization is prevalent. This bacterium dwells in or near the genitourinary tract and doesn’t cause illnesses.
Ellerkmann also warns that overusing antibiotics might make you immune to them. In other words, the antibiotics may not work next time.
Studies show that UTIs might aggravate MS and increase MS patients’ hospitalization rates. For your comfort and health, preventing this form of illness is vital.
Hydration may help. Most individuals should drink six to eight glasses of water or liquids daily, according to the MS Trust. About 64 ounces. Talk to your doctor about how much water you should drink daily, particularly if you have UTIs.
Several nutrients may prevent UTIs. These supplements:
“Both of these supplements appear to assist because they adhere to particular bacteria, such as E. coli, and make them less able to cling to the bladder wall. “So you’re more likely to flush those bacteria,” Ellerkmann explains. According to him, their effectiveness is disputed. Consult your doctor before using any of these supplements.
For chronic UTI sufferers, methenamine hippurate (Hiprex or Urex) may help avoid UTIs. Ellerkmann adds that it reduces bacterial growth.
Some study shows that vaginal estrogen may minimize recurrent UTIs in menopausal women. However, further study is required. Talk to your doctor about this possibility.
RELATED: 10 Home Remedies for a UTI
See your neurologist if you’re experiencing more bladder or other MS symptoms. Symptoms may be caused by a UTI or MS flare-up. “You may have MS symptoms flare as a consequence of a UTI, and you might have bladder symptoms flare as a result of MS acting up,” Geisser says. Steroids are typically the best therapy for MS flares that include bladder or other symptoms.
Your neurologist will check UTIs. “Anyone who has an increase in MS symptoms, even if they’re not experiencing any specific bladder symptoms, should check for a UTI,” adds Giesser. Your neurologist may recommend you to a urologist if you have recurrent UTIs to evaluate whether you’re having difficulties voiding, which may cause you to not release all your pee. If you require further therapy, a urologist can assist.
UTIs are uncomfortable and common, but with timely treatment, you and your doctor can usually manage them. “Bladder and bowel dysfunction is frequent with MS, and it’s all fairly treatable,” Giesser explains.
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