Everything You Need to Know About Poop When You Live with MS

Bowel problems and MS

It’s well-known in the multiple sclerosis (MS) community that bowel issues are common for those living with the disease. According to the National MS Society, constipation is the most common bowel complaint among people with MS, affecting an estimated 29 to 43 percent of individualsTrusted Source.

Many MS’ers aren’t able to rid themselves of potential toxins — at least not in a timely or comfortable fashion. I’m one of those and the search for answers led me to co-author a book on the subject, candidly titled, “Bowel and Bladder Issues with Multiple Sclerosis by Two Pee Brains With Potty Mouths Talking Shit About MS.”

So, why is this something so many people with MS deal with and how can you cope with it? Here are some insights that may help.

What causes constipation

There are several factors at play here: neurological damage, medication, insufficient water intake, and limited physical activity. Let’s take a look at each of those factors.

Neurological damage

Due to lesion placement, those of us with MS may not receive the signal from our brains to our bowels that say: “You gotta go!” Alternately, you may not have the capacity to relax and release or push — hello, spasticity.

Our bodies, when working correctly, have an automatic mechanism called peristalsis, where muscles alternately constrict and relax to move contents of the intestines forward and out. When a lesion lands in the wrong place, this mechanism can be impacted.

Medication

Many medications can cause constipation — especially those used for pain. It’s a cruel irony that medication given to relieve pain may cause more pain due to the constipation it causes. Check with your doctor or pharmacist to see if any of your medications might be to blame.

Water and fiber intake

You’ve probably heard that you should drink six to eight glasses of water per day. Drink even more than that. Not only will that keep you hydrated, it’ll keep your stool softer and help transport it through your intestines.

Additionally, eating more fiber is always a first-line recommendation when experiencing constipation. You’ll need to drink more water when you up your fiber in order to keep everything moving properly. Many American diets are severely lacking in fiber. The recommended daily fiber intake is 25 to 30 grams per day. Pay attention to food labels and count your typical fiber intake. Increase it if you fall short of that level.

Physical activity

Exercise facilitates colonic movement by making the poop move through the intestines more rapidly. Try taking a walk, standing, marching, yoga, using a stationary bike, or a peddling exercise machine if you have physical limitations.