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9. Bladder and Bowel Dysfunction
People who are suffering from spina bifida may experience issues with bowel movements and the correct functioning of the bladder. These problems typically occur with the meningocele version of the condition. The person may find that they need to urinate more often than normal, resulting in frequent trips to the bathroom.
They may also encounter problems with passing stools. Spina bifida causes complications with the central nervous system (CNS) and its control over these organs. As the condition worsens, they may find themselves getting constipated frequently, or they may experience issues with incontinence and bladder movements.
The patient will require the use of medications to regulate bowel movements and bladder response. If left undiagnosed and unmanaged, the patient will experience a severe decline in their quality of life. Typically, doctors can manage bowel and bladder problems with prescription drugs. While the condition will not improve, the use of medications in addressing the issues will help to improve the patient’s quality of life.