Stress Incontinence
Incontinence is a very common problem for both men and women. It can be distressing and can greatly affect your quality of life.
The term ‘incontinence’ literally means the loss of voluntary ability to control the emptying of bowel or bladder. Incontinence happens for all sorts of reasons to all sorts of people. It is fair to say, however, that it is more common in women, and more common as we age. It is estimated that up to 6 million people in the UK have some level of incontinence.
The term ‘incontinence’ literally means the loss of voluntary ability to control the emptying of bowel or bladder. Incontinence happens for all sorts of reasons to all sorts of people. It is fair to say, however, that it is more common in women, and more common as we age. It is estimated that up to 6 million people in the UK have some level of incontinence.
Visit our Specialist Clinic
Here you can see more information, specialist practitioners and linked conditions.
Book NowSymptoms
Incontinence affects everyone differently:Stress incontinence (SUI): the leakage of urine, wind or stool when we cough, sneeze or perform a sudden movement. There are many causes of SUI; some of the most common things are:
Weak pelvic floor muscles
Pregnancy
Childbirth
Pelvic surgery (prostatectomy, hysterectomy etc.)
Ageing
Lifestyle – being overweight, regular heavy lifting, being on your feet all day at work
Constipation
Smoking/persistent cough
Over active bladder (OAB): commonly people will complain that they need to go to the toilet more often than previously. This could be during the day, when the average number of trips to the toilet is 4-8, or during the night, when only one trip to the toilet is considered normal. Typically, people with an Over Active Bladder find that they go with greater urgency; some people may not make it to the toilet in time. OAB can be aggravated by:
Weak pelvic floor muscles
Drinking caffeinated drinks, fizzy drinks or alcohol
Stress and anxiety
Poor habits, going ‘just in case’ or out of convenience
Dehydration
Faecal Incontinence: stress incontinence, urgency and frequency can happen in the bowels too. Leakage of wind or faeces usually occurs for the same reasons as urinary incontinence. However, it may also be caused by a specific weakness around the anus (back passage)
Treatments
Our specially trained Pelvic Health Physiotherapists understand how the pelvic floor muscles work and how they contribute to the control of your bladder and bowel. They will assess the problem and with your consent perform an examination. With all the information gathered, the best treatment plan can be agreed upon.Often there is a mixture of symptoms and everything needs to be considered in order to get the best outcome. Typically, your treatment sessions would include:
Pelvic floor exercises: not simply ‘strengthening’ but also exercises which address problems such as poor co-ordination, muscle imbalance, and abnormal tension. We aim to build muscles that are fit for purpose so that you can get on with life in confidence.
Advice: life style can contribute to continence problems be it heavy lifting, the type of exercise we enjoy doing, being overweight, constipated, or having a persistent cough. We will discuss how your lifestyle can affect continence and how some small changes can make a big difference.
If your problem is one of urgency and frequency, advice will be given on bladder training, and healthy bladder habits.
If your main issue is the bowels, we can talk through strategies to give you more control.
Electrotherapy: this is sometimes useful if your muscles are very weak. This is not done in clinic at present for infection control purposes, but following assessment, your physiotherapist can give advice as to whether this would be a useful purchase.
Pessaries: Unfortunately, some incontinence is very difficult to solve with exercises alone. Your physiotherapist will have knowledge to share on devices that can be worn inside the body, and are designed to support the pelvic organs or the urethra itself.
References
Pogp.csp.org.ukNHS Squeezy – app for your phone
POGP Continence Leaflet
POGP Pelvic Floor Exercises Leaflet
NICE GuidelineNG123
NICE incontinence in neurological disease
Next... ACL Injury