Problems with bladder and bowel continence are common for adults with CP due to issues with muscle tone and spasticity, which can affect the muscles that control the bladder and bowel.

Research has shown that continence issues are a source of embarrassment and impact on quality of life for adults with CP. If you find that your continence control is changing as you age, it’s important to talk to your healthcare team about how to access the most effective treatment and get support.

A urologist or continence nurse can provide you with an assessment and create a program to help you manage any issues. Treatment options may include special exercises, maintaining a regular toileting schedule, medication, surgery and biofeedback training (to help you control bodily functions).

Urinary incontinence can be due to an underdeveloped bladder, genitals, urinary tract or urethra. Aging of the bladder can also decrease its capacity to store urine. Also, involuntary bladder contractions become more frequent as we get older.

Urinary incontinence may be an issue that comes and goes, or it can be continuous.

You may have issues with urinary continence due to:

• an over-active bladder, which can cause you to feel a sudden need to urinate often due to the bladder not storing urine properly
• exerting pressure on your bladder when coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting something heavy.
• overflow incontinence, when leaking occurs due to the bladder not emptying fully
• urge Incontinence, which can occur after strong urges to urinate, causing contraction of the bladder and involuntary urine loss.
• functional incontinence, when you have issues that make it difficult for you to get to or use the toilet, such as problems with mobility or being able to remove your clothes.

Up to 75% of people with CP report problems with constipation. When the muscles in the bowel can’t contract due to less mobility or poor muscle tone, the bowel can’t work properly and constipation or liquid stools can occur.

Constipation can cause:

• pain
• poor appetite
• food intolerance
• vomiting
• urinary tract infections
• problems with absorption of important medication.

It’s important that you’re aware of this and keep track of your bowel movements, so that you can pick any issues and seek treatment early.

Want to learn more? Watch our webinar Bladder and bowel health for people with cerebral palsy, which covers practical continence information for people with cerebral palsy.