If you are experiencing a medical emergency please dial 911 immediately
Some people who have a stroke suffer loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence) after the stroke. But this is usually temporary. And it can have many causes, including infection, constipation, and the effects of medicines.
If you have problems controlling your bladder, your doctor may:
Some things you can do to prevent bladder leakage include:
You may have trouble emptying your bladder completely (urinary retention). Urinary retention is common, especially right after a stroke, but it usually improves over time.
If you have urinary retention problems, your doctor may:
Stroke by itself does not cause constipation. But constipation often occurs after a stroke because you are not drinking enough liquids, are in bed most of the time, or are taking certain medicines as part of your treatment. If your constipation is severe, stool can become lodged (impacted) in the bowel.
If you are concerned about any of your symptoms, call your doctor before you try home treatment. Constipation can be treated at home.
If you are constipated:
If you continue to have problems with constipation, your doctor may recommend a bulking agent (such as Metamucil), a stool softener, or regular use of a laxative or enema.
|Primary Medical Reviewer||E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine|
|Specialist Medical Reviewer||Richard D. Zorowitz, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation|
|Last Revised||June 26, 2013|
Last Revised: June 26, 2013
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