Hands up if you’ve ever leaked when laughing? Coughing? Sneezing? Running? If you’ve put your hand up… would you say you are incontinent?
The definition of incontinence is ‘the lack of voluntary control over urination or defecation’. However the word itself seems to have a certain stigma or taboo with it. Urinary incontinence affects 1 in 2 people at some point in their life – that means its more common than hay fever!! Yet often we can feel embarrassed talking about it, or simply write it off as being ‘normal’.
But just because leaking or incontinence is common, does not mean that it is ‘normal’ and something that we should ignore and feel we have to live with. Though urinary incontinence is not life threatening, it does threaten social and working lives and has a severe adverse effect on quality of life. Individuals afflicted with incontinence often find their life dictated by their accidents, fearing embarrassment in front of friends and co-workers. By seeking the right professional help, incontinence can be better treated, managed and even cured.
Incontinence can be caused by a multitude of factors – ageing (the bladder muscles can weaken over time); being overweight (increased pressure on the bladder and weakening of the pelvic floor muscles); constipation (increased pressure on the pelvic floor muscles); menopause; or pregnancy.
It is really important to know that there is great help and resources out there. This could be to:
- Speak to your GP about your concerns
- Ask to be referred to your local NHS Pelvic Health Physio
- Self refer to a private Pelvic Health Physio (you can get in contact with us here!)
- Take a look at the info available on the POGP website
- Contact self help groups and charities – Bladder Health UK, MASIC (mothers with anal sphincter injuries in childbirth)
Physio’s can often be overlooked in the treatment of incontinence, however they are perfectly placed to put you at ease, complete a thorough assessment and help you get back to living confidently.
Depending on the cause, possible treatments include teaching pelvic floor muscle exercises, which need to be done properly, supervised regularly and progressed for best effect.
Other treatments could include modification of type and amount of fluid consumed, lifestyle modification, bladder training and teaching how to use the pelvic floor muscles functionally – ‘the knack’ involves switching those muscles on just before sneezing, laughing or lifting.
Occasionally there may be other factors contributing, for example a prolapse or constipation and Physio’s can help you manage these as well.
During a consultation, a Physiotherapist can help by explaining the anatomy of the pelvic region, where the pelvic floor muscles are and how they work.
Physios can also explain all of the possible treatment options – ranging from doing nothing, conservative management (where the physio comes in) and surgical options. You are then fully informed to be able to make a decision about your care.
So if you do experience the occasional or more frequent leaking, or if you find you’re avoiding activities because of worry you may need to dash to the loo, or if you’re popping in sanitary pads when you’re going for a walk or run, or if your dreading the next sneeze… first thing is to talk about it. It is more common than you may think and more importantly it can be managed, treated and even cured. #laughingnotleaking
