As we age, our bodies continuously take on stress. This happens as a byproduct of the daily pressures of life, or as a result of major medical events, such as surgery. While our bodies work hard to keep everything in operation, certain functions may begin to weaken over time. Some people may feel too embarrassed to bring their concerns to a healthcare provider, even with the knowledge that they are there to help.
Many people suffer from the effects of urinary incontinence without even knowing about the condition – or knowing that there is an accessible solution. Read on to learn more about this common condition.
What is urinary incontinence?
Put simply, urinary incontinence is a bladder control issue that occurs for a variety of reasons. As part of the urinary system, the bladder muscles tighten in order to move urine to the urethra, where it passes out of the body. Problems begin to occur when the muscles of the bladder and surrounding areas stop functioning correctly.
Urinary continence ranges in presentation and severity. While some sufferers may occasionally leak urine, others may be suddenly overcome by the urge to use the bathroom, and are put into a difficult situation as a result.
Common causes
There are four main categories when it comes to urinary incontinence:
- Stress incontinence is the most common culprit for those suffering from the condition, especially women. With time or under heavy amounts of stress, muscles hold tension more easily – and the bladder muscles are no exception. If the body is stressed, a bit of pressure may be all that’s needed for leakage to occur. This pressure can be caused by anything from coughing and sneezing to lifting heavy objects.
- Urge incontinence is the categorization for those who struggle making it to the toilet on time. This issue often occurs in tandem with another serious illness or disease, such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, or following a stroke.
- Functional incontinence occurs because of some other barrier that makes getting to the bathroom on time difficult. This type of incontinence does not involve bladder control. Older individuals who suffer from chronic pain may struggle with functional incontinence.
- Finally, overflow incontinence occurs when individuals cannot easily empty their bladder all at once, and end up leaking over time. If something is blocking the urethra – such as an enlarged prostate – it can make going all at once harder than it should be.
The solution: physical therapy
Physical therapists are trained to assess and assist people with all kinds of bladder control issues. Depending on the cause of your incontinence, a physical therapist will create a treatment plan that will get you on the path to better bladder control. Some common elements of these treatment plans include:
- Muscle strengthening exercises that target the pelvic region
- Scheduling times to urinate, to re-teach the body to operate consistently
- Urgency suppression, which makes it easier to handle sudden urination urges and get to the bathroom on time when they occur.
Regardless of the reason you’re experiencing bladder control issues, a trusted physical therapist will use their training to help you manage the issue or refer you to other medical professionals as needed.
Core 3 Physical Therapy has extensive experience treating urinary incontinence and other issues centered in the pelvic floor. We are dedicated to helping you and your loved ones use physical therapy to improve your quality of life and tackle tough situations one day at a time. Visit us on-site, or set up an appointment through our online form for access to a personalized treatment plan.
