Spina Bifida has a waterfall effect on a person’s body and causes many dysfunctions. In this article, we will discuss the 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 Clean Intermittent self-catheterisation (CISC) a viable option for bladder emptying, promoting a longer, healthier, and more independent life. Read more about it here.
People with Spina Bifida also often have an overactive bladder and they might suffer from both, stress and urge incontinence.
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 or Digital Evacuation may be an alternative to take control of your bowel. Read more about it here.
Please Note
The information provided on our website is not intended as medical advice for any individual. Since specific cases may differ from the general information presented, SASHA recommends consulting a qualified medical or other professional for personalized advice.
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.
FAQ
Can spina bifida cause bladder problems?
Yes, children born with Spina Bifida are almost always found to have a neurogenic bladder
How does spina bifida affect the bowels?
Many people with spina bifida have limited or no control over their sphincter muscles and have bowel incontinence.
What nerves control bladder and bowel function?
Various nerves control bladder and bowel function, including the spinal cord, cauda equina, pudendal nerves, and the enteric nervous system, a nerve network in the walls of the digestive tract.
Is there a surgery that can repair Neurogenic Bladder?
No, there is no particular surgery. There are surgeries that can help treat Neurogenic Bladder.
Is neurogenic bladder curable?
While neurogenic bladder can’t be cured, necessarily, it can most definitely be managed.
What are the symptoms of bowel dysfunction?
Leakage of mucus
