If you frequently need to wee, or you find yourself accidentally leaking urine or unable to hold it in entirely, you may find yourself asking, “What does incontinence mean?”
Incontinence is a condition where you lose bladder or bowel control, leading to accidental leakage of urine or stool.
The impact of this condition varies, from occasional leaks to a total loss of control. But while dealing with incontinence can be difficult, you are not alone.
In the UK, 14 million people have some degree of urinary incontinence, and over half a million adults have faecal incontinence. So, while it can be a significant challenge to overcome, it’s important to remember incontinence is a common condition.
What is Urinary Incontinence?
When your bladder lacks control when emptying itself when you visit the toilet, urinary incontinence is a likely cause.
Characterised by involuntary leakage of urine, people with urinary incontinence can experience a small dribble of urine leaving their bladder or a full bladder emptying itself with no prior warning.
The physical symptoms can often lead to emotional issues that are just as important to address. 30% of women with incontinence will also suffer from depression, as the condition can begin to impact a person’s quality of life, causing social anxiety, discomfort, and inconvenience.
What is Faecal Incontinence?
Faecal incontinence is the term for the condition in which you lose control over your bowel movements. This leads to an involuntary leaking of stool, ranging from small and infrequent instances to a consistent and long-term lack of control.
Faecal incontinence can be caused by simple issues such as a diet low in fibre and certain medications, to more serious concerns like nerve damage and rectal prolapse.
What are the Four Types of Incontinence?
There are various types of incontinence, each with its own causes and treatments, and some people experience more than one type at once.
Everyone experiences incontinence differently, but certain urinary incontinence types can give you a clearer idea of what to expect. Take a look at the core four types of incontinence:
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence occurs when physical activity, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects, puts pressure on the bladder. This pressure can cause urine to leak, especially if the pelvic floor muscles, which support the bladder and urethra, are weak.
Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence, often referred to as an overactive bladder, is characterised by a sudden, intense urge to urinate that's difficult to resist. This urgency frequently leads to involuntary leakage. Various factors, including bladder muscle overactivity, nerve damage, or certain medications, can cause it.
Overflow Incontinence
Overflow incontinence happens when the bladder doesn't completely empty after visiting the toilet, leading to periodic or constant leakage or dribbling of urine. This can occur due to weak bladder muscles, nerve damage, or a blockage in the urinary tract.
Functional Incontinence
Functional incontinence is not directly related to bladder control issues but rather to physical or mental limitations that prevent a person from reaching the toilet in time. Conditions such as arthritis, dementia, or stroke can cause this, affecting mobility or cognitive function.
What Causes Incontinence?
Muscle Weakness
Weak pelvic floor muscles can significantly contribute to incontinence, particularly stress incontinence.
These muscles form a sling-like structure that supports the bladder, urethra, and rectum. When weakened, the pelvic floor can struggle to contract and relax adequately, leading to involuntary urine or stool leakage.
Childbirth and ageing are two common factors that can weaken the pelvic floor muscles. During childbirth, the muscles can stretch and tear, compromising their strength, and as we age, we are more likely to experience a gradual decline and weakening of these muscles.
Nerve Damage
Our nerves are crucial for delivering messages from the brain to other areas of our bodies, but this communication can be faulty when nerves are damaged.
Nerve damage can lead to a breakdown in our brain’s control over the bladder, leading to urinary incontinence. For example, when the bladder fills up, our brain signals to the muscles to contract. When these nerves are damaged, this message can be disrupted, making the muscles relax and resulting in involuntary leakage.
A wide variety of conditions can lead to nerve damage, including:
-
Diabetes
High blood sugar levels can damage nerves throughout the body, including those that control bladder function.
-
Spinal cord injuries
Injuries to the spinal cord can disrupt the nerve signals that control bladder function.
-
Neurological disorders
Conditions like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease can affect nerve function and contribute to incontinence.
If nerve damage is causing incontinence, treatment may involve medications, nerve stimulation, or surgery, depending on the specific cause and severity of the condition.
Overactive Bladder
An overactive bladder is a condition characterised by a sudden, intense urge to need the toilet that's difficult to resist. The urgency of this sensation often leads to involuntary leakage.
Urinary incontinence due to an overactive bladder can be triggered frequently, leaving people struggling to manage their daily activities and increasing overall stress and anxiety levels.
Similarly to the cause above, nerve damage can lead to a breakdown in the brain’s control of your bladder. Muscle overactivity has been identified as a reason behind this condition, as the muscles surrounding the bladder contract involuntarily and trigger a strong urge to urinate.
Sometimes, an overactive bladder is caused by a clearer culprit. Certain medications have been found to irritate the bladder, leading to a frequent sense of urgency to spend a penny.
Other Potential Causes
-
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
-
Certain Medications
-
Excessive Fluid Intake
If you're experiencing incontinence, it's essential to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and tailored treatment plan.
Managing Incontinence
There is no denying that what causes incontinence is beyond an inconvenience. It seriously impacts day-to-day activities and can feel as though your life is on pause.
At Mobility Genie, we are dedicated to giving you the tools to regain control of your life and effectively manage urinary incontinence.
Don’t let incontinence hold you back. Take a look at our experts’ tips to improve your condition and find comfort in caring for your health…
Remember.
Management of urinary incontinence depends on the cause of your condition. You must consult with a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause of your incontinence and confirm the appropriate treatment options for your specific situation.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Strengthening pelvic floor muscles is a crucial step in managing incontinence. These muscles support the bladder, bowel, and uterus and can lead to leakage when weak.
Here's a simple 3-step guide to performing pelvic floor exercises:
-
Identify the Muscles
Imagine you're trying to stop the flow of urine midstream. Squeeze the muscles you'd use to do that. You should feel a tightening sensation in your pelvic floor.
-
Hold and Release
Once you've identified the muscles, hold the contraction for 5-10 seconds, then relax for 10 seconds.
-
Repeat
Aim for three sets of 10 repetitions, 3-4 times daily.
For the best results, you should maintain normal breathing and avoid using other muscles in areas such as your stomach or thighs.
Medical Treatments
Unfortunately, some urinary incontinence cases require support beyond simple exercises and lifestyle changes.
For those with particularly severe urinary incontinence or incontinence caused by a medical condition, medications or surgery may be recommended by your doctor.
Antimuscarinic medications are available to those who need their bladder muscles to relax to reduce the frequency and urgency of urination. Beta-3 agonists can be prescribed to those who also suffer from a limited bladder capacity.
In more complex cases, pelvic floor surgery can help to strengthen and repair damaged tissues. At the same time, sacral nerve stimulation regains control over the bladder’s muscles using a device that mimics the damaged nerve signals.
Lifestyle Changes
For more straightforward urinary incontinence cases, simple lifestyle changes can significantly improve your bladder control and reduce the frequency of leakage.
If you’re dealing with urinary incontinence, why not try Mobility Genie’s five simple steps to regain your bladder control:
-
Reduce Caffeine and Alcohol Intake
Caffeine and alcohol can irritate the bladder, leading to increased urgency and frequency of urination. Consider reducing your intake of these substances, especially in the evening.
-
Manage Fluid Intake
While staying hydrated is essential, excessive fluid intake can overload the bladder. Aim to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, but reduce your intake in the evening to minimise nighttime awakenings.
-
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Excess weight can put additional pressure on the pelvic floor muscles, contributing to incontinence. Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can help improve bladder control.
-
Bladder Retraining
Bladder retraining is a technique that involves gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits. By doing so, you can train your bladder to hold more urine and reduce the frequency of accidents.
-
Incontinence Products
Incontinence products, such as incontinence pads, can provide peace of mind and help you stay active and confident. These products come in various sizes and absorbency levels to suit individual needs.
Mobility Genie is Your Solution to Urinary Incontinence
Incontinence can be challenging, but it doesn't have to control your life. By understanding the causes and taking proactive steps, you can regain your confidence and independence.
We know how difficult it can be to face mobility issues.
48% of the UK has a mobility issue, and we understand how difficult it is to face the impact these can have on your life. That’s why we believe it’s more important than ever to have easy access to quality products that make navigating your incontinence a breeze.
Mobility Genie is here to support you on your journey. We offer many products and solutions to help you live comfortably and confidently. Take a look at our discreet and effective incontinence pads, designed to give you peace of mind and the quality of life you deserve.
Trust Mobility Genie as your trusted partner in managing incontinence.
Mobility Genie is here to support you on your journey to better bladder control. We're committed to providing high-quality products and expert advice.
Take control of your life today.