Bladder Dysfunction in MS

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the leading cause of hospital visits for people diagnosed with MS and at least 80% of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis have bladder dysfunction, but it really doesn’t have to be this way. Today, many who suffer from bladder issues are restoring bladder function and recovering from multiple sclerosis.

 

MS bladder dysfunction

MS bladder dysfunction can present as problems with storing or emptying urine, or both.

1. Storage dysfunction – an overactive bladder[i]

The bladder contracts too often or at the wrong time.

Common symptoms:

• Getting up more than once a night to urinate
• Urinating more frequently than normal
• Urgency – a sudden strong need to urinate
• Incontinence – leakage of urine before reaching the toilet.

2. Emptying dysfunction – an underactive bladder

The bladder does not empty completely, causing urine retention.

Common symptoms:

• Difficulty starting urination
• Weak urine stream
• Dribbling after urination
• Frequent UTIs due to stagnant urine.

3. A combination of overactive and underactive bladder

• Some people with MS experience both storage and emptying problems at the same time.
• This can lead to bladder spasms, incomplete emptying and frequent UTIs.

 

Complications of Bladder Dysfunction in MS 

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) – Stagnant urine in the bladder increases the risk of bacterial infections.
• Kidney Damage – Chronic retention can cause urine to back up into the kidneys, leading to serious damage.
• Bladder Stones – Retained urine increases the likelihood of stone formation in the bladder.
• Emotional and Social Impact – Anxiety, embarrassment and decreased confidence in social situations.

Management strategies like avoiding drinking water in the evening, pelvic floor exercises, medications, catheterization, Botox injections, Sacral Neuromodulation and surgery do not resolve this issue and are often expensive and invasive.

 

Why are UTIs are so common in MS?

• Many people with MS experience urine retention, which creates a breeding ground for bacteria.
• Some may use catheters, which increase the risk of infections.

A UTI can make MS symptoms such as spasticity or cognitive function worse and in some cases, can trigger an MS relapse if left untreated.

Researchers in a 2024 study reviewed the records of over 200 adults with MS over two years and found that 10.3% were admitted for UTIs, 9.2% for neurological issues, 7.6% for MS flares, and 6.2% for falls, ambulation difficulties or spasticity.

The study’s authors concluded, “Given the prevalence of bladder dysfunction in MS, it is not surprising that a UTI was the most common reason for admission.”[ii]

Even though this study was done at one institution and involved a fairly small group of subjects, their observations are consistent with other research on the causes of hospitalization in people diagnosed with MS.

This begs the question – why do the majority of MS patients have bladder dysfunction?

Why does MS cause bladder problems?

Standard of care for MS claims that bladder dysfunction is caused by damage to nerve cells, which affects the way nerve signals travel between the brain, spinal cord and bladder.

This theory suggests that bladder dysfunction is permanent and progressive. Medications and therapies are used to manage symptoms and ongoing UTIs.

If bladder dysfunction is caused by permanent damage to nerve cells, then how can a low carb diet improve bladder function so dramatically in MS?

 

Low carb diets help bladder dysfunction

The low carb was used to treat urinary infections years before antibiotics were introduced. In 1933, Fuller reported a high success rate when using the Keto diet to treat these infections.[iii]

The Keto diet also improved stress urinary incontinence in obese women, significantly reduced prostate size and markers of oxidative stress. In addition, the Keto diet significantly alleviated symptoms in patients with male accessory gland inflammation and is associated with an increased rate of α-blocker discontinuation.[iv]

The Live Disease Free Diet is a proven low carb diet that greatly reduces food to the infections that cause bladder dysfunction in chronic diseases like MS. This causes the infections to be less active, produce less poisons and as a result, inflammation decreases and bladder function heals.

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Live Disease Free Diet.

Successes from Wellness Champions following the Live Disease Free low carb diet and plan

Student #1. 

“My symptoms are under control. I am still have occasional unsteadiness.  Bladder urgency has significantly improved. I always make it to the bathroom on time now and have done so for years now.”

Student #2. 

“Over the last week, I have noticeably less clonus muscle (contractions) in my leg, as well as (noticeably) increased strength while doing my PT exercises on the floor. These are noticeable improvements! My bladder urgency has also been far better in the last week also.”

Student #3. 

“I am tripping less. My bladder issues are getting so much better! I used to be up AT LEAST, 5-6 times a night, where now, I might be in the bathroom 1-2 per night!”

Student #4. 

“I’m having less bladder urgency, less numbness/tingling in my hands, less brain fog, and more energy.”

Student #5.

“Constipation has improved. Urination continues to improve. I only get up once a night, before the Live Disease Free diet it was often 3 times a night. I am sleeping well, go to bed around 9 pm and get up now around 6am.”

Student #6.

“I’ve been following the Live Disease Free diet and have started to treat parasites.
My Wins:
My bladder is better – I no longer have a sense of urgency.
For the first time in my life, I’m having a bowel movement every day.
I am constantly sleeping seven hours a night
Spasticity is improved.”

 Student #7.

“My sinus congestion and bleeding have significantly cleared and is almost gone (cured). I haven’t had any issues with my overactive bladder since I started the Live Disease Free diet. My rashes are improving without topical treatments. I love this diet. I noticed my throat irritation (mucus/phlegm) has improved which makes it a little easier to talk.”

Student #8.

“When I began the Live Disease Free diet, I did see improvements.  My bladder was less spastic.  I was able to hold my urine and not have the urgency to urinate. Also, the number of trips to the bathroom during the night was reduced.”

Student #9.

“I have more control of my bladder. When I ate more carbs, I had more urine urgency and frequency. During the night I have a deeper sleep. Now I get up once and sometimes I don’t have to get up to go to the bathroom during the night. I am more active during the day. My mood is more hopeful.”

 

Infections that cause bladder dysfunction

Bladder issues can be caused by various parasites which directly or indirectly affect the urinary tract or nervous system.

Infections have been implicated at the onset of an MS flare and during the progression of the disease. Urinary tract colonization (UTC) and infections (UTIs) are common in MS patients. UTIs can exacerbate neurological symptoms in MS.[v]

 

Parasitic infections that affect the bladder

Several parasitic infections can cause chronic inflammation, scarring and damage to the bladder and urinary tract, leading to dysfunction.

 

Worms that cause bladder dysfunction

Schistosomiasis

• Caused by: Schistosoma haematobium (a parasitic flat worm or fluke)
• How It Affects the Bladder:
  • The parasite burrows into the bladder wall, leading to chronic inflammation, fibrosis and scarring.
  • It can cause urinary urgency, frequency, pain, blood in urine (hematuria) and bladder obstruction.
  • Chronic infection may increase the risk of bladder cancer.
• Transmission: Contact with contaminated freshwater lakes or rivers.

 

Protozoa that cause bladder dysfunction

Trichomoniasis

• Caused by: Trichomonas vaginalis (a sexually transmitted protozoan parasite)
• How It Affects the Bladder:
  • Causes inflammation of the bladder and urethra.
  • Symptoms include urinary urgency, pain during urination (dysuria) and increased frequency.
• Transmission: Spread through sexual contact.

Toxoplasmosis

• Caused by: Toxoplasma gondii (a protozoan parasite)
• How It Affects the Bladder:
  • Primarily affects the nervous system, but in rare cases, it can cause neurological damage leading to bladder dysfunction.
• Transmission: Contaminated food, water or cat feces.

 

Bacteria that cause bladder dysfunction

Certain bacteria can cause bladder infections (cystitis), urinary retention and chronic inflammation leading to dysfunction.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

• Caused by: Escherichia coli (E. coli) (most common), Klebsiella, Proteus, Enterococcus, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus.
• How They Affect the Bladder:
  • Causes inflammation of the bladder lining (cystitis).
  • Symptoms: urgency, frequency, burning urination, pelvic pain.
  • Can lead to urinary retention and neurogenic bladder if recurrent or severe.

 Lyme Disease

• Caused by: Borrelia burgdorferi (a tick-borne bacterium)
• How It Affects the Bladder:
  • Can lead to neurogenic bladder dysfunction by affecting the nervous system.
  • Symptoms include urinary urgency, incontinence and retention.

 

Fungi that cause bladder dysfunction

Fungi can cause chronic bladder infections, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

Candida (Yeast) Infections

• Caused by: Candida albicans (a fungal pathogen)
• How It Affects the Bladder:
  • Can cause fungal cystitis, leading to urinary urgency, frequency, burning and pain.
  • Common in people with diabetes, catheter use or weakened immune systems.

It is well understood in the scientific field that parasites cause bladder dysfunction. In some cases, the bladder itself is directly infected, while in others, nerve damage from infections (such as Lyme disease) affects bladder control.

If someone is experiencing chronic urinary issues, it is essential to test for underlying infections and parasites. Proper diagnosis and targeted treatment can restore bladder function and prevent long-term complications.

 

The link between parasites and MS bladder dysfunction is being ignored

The focus on autoimmunity instead of infection

• The mainstream medical belief is that MS is caused by an overactive immune system attacking the body.
• Many scientists have not considered the possibility that the immune system might be reacting to an actual chronic infection rather than attacking the body for no reason.

 

Other autoimmune diseases have been linked to infections, like:

• Rheumatoid arthritis → is treated with malaria drugs
• Hashimoto’s thyroiditis → linked to H. pylori & Yersinia enterocolitica bacteria
• Guillain-Barré syndrome → linked to the bacteria Campylobacter jejuni
• Diabetes → Worms and protozoa were recovered from diabetic patients[vi]

 

So why not MS?

Many researchers believe that MS is not an autoimmune disease, but instead it is caused by dysbiosis and chronic parasitic infections that lead to nerve damage.

CLICK HERE to learn more about specific parasites discovered in MS.

Most MS patients are never tested for parasites, Lyme disease, chronic UTIs or gut infections.

• If a person with MS has bladder dysfunction, doctors usually assume it’s due to nerve damage and don’t test for infections.
• Many people with MS also experience chronic UTIs, but these are treated as secondary infections, rather than considering if they might be part of the root cause.
• Healthcare professionals are not trained to identify and treat parasites.
• Parasite tests are not accurate. The best tests are able to identify about 10% of parasites present.

 

The pharmaceutical influence

• Most MS treatments are focused on immune suppression, not addressing possible infections.
• Anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial, or low-carb dietary approaches aren’t patentable, meaning there’s little financial incentive for pharmaceutical companies to fund this research.
• The MS drug market is worth billions—with the focus on new patentable immunosuppressive maintenance drugs aimed at suppressing the immune system, rather than exploring possible underlying infections.

 

💡 What this means

If bladder dysfunction in MS is caused by treatable infections and if diet can help, then many MS medications would be unnecessary. That’s a big deal in an industry driven by long-term drug prescriptions.

 

Why does the Live Disease Free low carb diet improve bladder function in MS?

Many people with MS notice major improvements in bladder function when following the low carb Live Disease Free diet. Why?

✅ Less sugar = slower parasitic growth and activity

• Many pathogens, including parasites and bacteria, thrive on sugar.
• Lowering glucose levels reduces inflammation,  the growth of harmful microbes as well as the toxins they produce.

✅ Reduced gut inflammation = improved nerve function

• There’s a strong connection between gut health, the immune system and nerve function.
• A low carb diet reduces gut permeability or “leaky gut,” which may help reduce inflammation in MS.

✅ Metabolic shifts = better nerve repair

• Low carb diets potentially help repair myelin damage.
• High carb diets are know to increase oxidative stress and inflammation, which worsens MS symptoms.

💡 Key takeaway:

If MS bladder dysfunction was purely due to nerve damage, then dietary changes shouldn’t have such a big impact—but they do. This is yet more evidence that MS is an infectious disease caused by a parasitic infestation and that by following the Live Disease Free diet and treating parasites, bladder dysfunction can resolve and recovery from multiple sclerosis is possible.

 

The Need for a Paradigm Shift in MS Research

 Given all this, it’s clear that MS research needs to expand beyond the autoimmune model and consider other possibilities:

1. Chronic parasitic infections as contributors to MS symptoms.
2. Diet and metabolism as key players in MS progression and symptom improvement.
3. Bladder dysfunction in MS could be driven by treatable infections, not just nerve damage.

The big question:

🔎 If bladder dysfunction and other neurological symptoms in MS improve with diet, could it mean the real issue isn’t nerve damage but an underlying infection or inflammation that diet helps control?

This is the kind of research that desperately needs funding—but it’s often overlooked in favor of new immunosuppressive maintenance drug approaches.

Final Thoughts: What Can Be Done?

If mainstream medicine isn’t studying these questions, people with MS can:

✔ Learn about common chronic parasite infections in MS.
✔ Follow the low carb Live Disease Free diet.
✔ Treat parasites – The Live Disease Free plan to recover from parasites and chronic disease.
✔ Advocate for research into infection-based causes of MS.

 

There are real solutions to recover from infections that cause chronic disease today!

To restore health, we must focus on treating the cause of inflammation, which is infection. First, identify the enemy (the infections), then support the body and treat the infections while following a holistic approach. When infections are treated effectively, we can overcome inflammation or disease.

If you’re frustrated with the fact that our standard of care STILL doesn’t offer a real solution for treating MS and other diseases, then click on the link below to watch Pam Bartha’s free masterclass training and discover REAL solutions that have allowed Pam and many others to live free from MS and other diseases.

CLICK Here to watch Pam’s masterclass training

Or take the Health Blocker Quiz to see if you could have infections

 

References:

[i] https://www.nationalmssociety.org/understanding-ms/what-is-ms/ms-symptoms/bladder-problems?utm_source=chatgpt.com

[ii] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39469097/

[iii] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10932574/

[iv] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10932574/?utm_source=chatgpt.com#f1-inj-2346250-125

[v] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3960762/

[vi] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211425413000307#:~:text=Three%20parasites%E2%80%94Ascaris%20lumbricoides%2C%20hookworm,Hence%20this%20study%20was%20undertak

https://www.va.gov/MS/Veterans/symptoms_of_MS/Bladder_Changes_in_Multiple_Sclerosis.asp

https://mymsaa.org/ms-information/symptoms/infections/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39469097/