Is It Normal to Leak Urine or Have Sudden Urges to Go?
If you’re leaking urine or having sudden urges to go, know that you’re not alone. Studies show that these urinary issues, known as urinary incontinence, affect about 25-45% of the population. That’s a lot of people!
Although this condition is common, you should know that it’s not really normal…and more importantly that you CAN find help!
Have you ever justified your urinary symptoms just because…
- You’re currently pregnant or have recently been pregnant
- You’ve gone through childbirth
- You “only” leak when you cough or sneeze sometimes
- You “only” leak when you exercise
- You haven’t made it to the bathroom sometimes, but think that it’s okay because it doesn’t happen “that often”
- You think that it’s a normal part of being over 40
If you can relate to any one of these situations, then you have some sort of urinary incontinence…but the good news is that there’s A LOT you can do to fix your problem!
Do I Have Urinary Incontinence?
There are 2 types of urinary incontinence that you could have.
Stress Incontinence
This type of incontinence occurs when pelvic floor muscles and other structures that are involved with the bladder and the release of urine weaken.
As you can imagine, when these structures weaken, they aren’t able to function as well to control the release of urine at appropriate times.
There are some normal stressors to the body that can increase the pressure inside your body and force urine out because of the weakening of the structures at or near your pelvic floor that are supposed to hold urine.
Some of these stressors that could cause you to have involuntary urine leakage include coughing, sneezing, bending over, running, laughing, jumping, lifting, or recent childbirth and pregnancy.
Urge Incontinence
On the other hand, urge incontinence is when you have an overactive bladder which can spasm and can cause you to have a sudden, overwhelming, and uncontrollable urge to urinate.
This urge can be completely random or can be triggered by factors such as the sound of running water, drinking a small amount of water, intercourse, or sleeping. These factors can cause you to leak urine before you’re able to make it to the bathroom.
Urge incontinence may be caused or worsened by a variety of different factors such as having damage to the muscles or nerves of the bladder, recent surgery, bladder infections, consuming caffeine, drinking too much fluid, or having a diagnosis of certain diseases such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, stroke, Multiple Sclerosis.
As you can see, there are a wide number of reasons why you could be having a sudden urge to “go,” and this urge can impact your daily activities.
Mixed Incontinence
If some things from both categories of urinary incontinence sound familiar to you, then don’t be surprised.
Mixed urinary incontinence is when you have symptoms from both stress and urinary incontinence, and it’s usually the result of a combination of factors that cause both types of incontinence.
I Think I Have Urinary Incontinence…Now What?
No matter what type of urinary incontinence sounds familiar to you, there are treatments that can help you. Urinary incontinence can be embarrassing, inconvenient, and can significantly impact your quality of life.
This condition is common but not normal and can be treated in a variety of different ways. Some treatments can include taking medications, using specific devices to reduce urinary incontinence, lifestyle modifications, and surgery if needed.
But did you know that research has proven that physiotherapy should be the first line of defense for stress, urge, and mixed urinary incontinence in women, and can also help men with these conditions as well?
Read on to learn more about the role of physiotherapy to help with your urinary incontinence.
How Can Physiotherapy Help With My Urinary Incontinence?
Pelvic Health Physiotherapists are highly trained experts in issues related to the pelvic floor, such as urinary incontinence.
These healthcare professionals can assess the state of your pelvic floor muscles and work together with you to develop a treatment plan so you can reduce or get rid of your urinary incontinence altogether.
Physiotherapy can help you strengthen and help your pelvic floor muscles so that you’re better in control of your bladder.
Here are some Pelvic Health Physiotherapist approved exercises you can try yourself if you’ve been experiencing stress urinary incontinence.
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Other components of your treatment plan may include education about your condition, pelvic floor exercises, and manual therapy techniques.
Learn more about our licensed Pelvic Health Physiotherapists Michelle and Lauren who are both trained to help you with your urinary incontinence.
Check out this pelvic health newsletter to learn more about the different ways pelvic floor therapy could help with your urinary incontinence and improve your quality of life.
You don’t have to live with urinary incontinence. Book your appointment today with a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist to gain control over your urinary incontinence today and get back to doing the things that are important to you.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We’re here to help you.
This blog was written by Anna Zhang, a Physiotherapy student at the University of Toronto
FAQ’s
Will Kegels Help Me With My Urinary Incontinence?
Kegels may or may not be an appropriate exercise for you depending on many different factors. These factors include the type of urinary incontinence you have, the nature and severity of your condition, and if you’re doing them correctly. A Pelvic Health Physiotherapist can help inform you if Kegels are appropriate for your specific condition and can help guide you to perform them properly.
Should I Be Drinking Less Water If I Have Urinary Incontinence?
You may have wondered if drinking less water could help with your bladder issues in order to prevent unwanted urinary leakage. However, if you have urge incontinence, reduced water intake can create more concentrated urine which can make your symptoms worse. Drinking too much water at once can cause increased pressure on the bladder as well. It’s generally a good idea to drink water when you’re thirsty, and to ensure that you’re staying hydrated throughout the day. In addition, if you tend to make bathroom trips during the night, try to limit fluids prior to sleeping. Try to space out your water drinking throughout the day and aim for about eight 8-ounce glasses or two litres of plain water in a day.
What Are Some Home Remedies for Urinary Incontinence?
There’s several lifestyle changes that you can make that can positively impact your urinary incontinence. This can include dietary changes, weight management, and managing your fluid intake. However, it’s important to note that urinary incontinence is a medical condition, and the best course of action is to see a healthcare professional such as a doctor or physiotherapist to effectively address your urinary incontinence issues.