Spina bifida has a waterfall effect on a person’t body and causes many dysfunctions. In this article, we will discuss effects on bladder and bowel dysfunction.
What is Spina Bifida?
Spina Bifida is a birth defect where the spine and the spinal cord don’t close properly. This defective closure can arise anywhere along the spine, from the neck to the rump bone and tail bones, but is most often found in the loin area. Surgical closure of the Spina Bifida is performed as soon as possible, preferably within 24 hours of birth.
Spina Bifida’s Effects on Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction?
Spina bifida can cause problems with bladder and bowel control. The nerves that control these functions might not work properly. In Spina Bifida, neural impulses fail to reach their targets properly, disrupting bladder nerve function in 90% of cases. Most individuals with Spina Bifida also experience bowel control issues. The impaired signals cause muscle weakness, leading to paralysis, reduced mobility, numbness, poor leg circulation, and a higher risk of bone fractures.
Effects on Your Bladder
Spina bifida often leads to neurogenic bladder, where the nerves controlling the bladder don’t function properly. Groups of nerves and muscles work together to store and void urine from your body. When damage affects the nerves upstream of your urinary tract, these nerves and muscles may not work together as well anymore. In people with SB and neurogenic bladder, the bladder doesn’t fill and empty properly. This is often due to “detrusor sphincter dyssynergia (DSD),” which involves two groups of muscles: the detrusor muscle and the urethral sphincters.
If the spinal cord damage is partial, you may lose some muscle control, but some signals will still get through. This makes intermittent catheterisation (IC) a viable option for bladder emptying, promoting a longer, healthier, and more independent life. Read more about it here.
Effects on Your Bowel
The spinal cord damage may cause limited control over the bowel and the sphincter muscles, which can result in bowel incontinence, and reduced bowel movement can cause constipation. It is common to experience both constipation and episodes of bowel leakage. Bowel irrigation may be an alternative to take control of your bowel. Read more about it here.
About the author
Raul/DJ Vivek
Meet Vivek Bharadwaj, a remarkable individual who has defied the odds and soared to new heights despite living with Spina bifida. As the founder of the Sasha Foundation, Vivek tirelessly advocates for others facing similar challenges. His unwavering commitment to support, awareness, and empowerment had made a lasting impact on the Spina bifida community.
