Bladder Health Awareness Month - Understanding Incontinence in Women & Management Tips

There are more than 13 million individuals in the United States that suffer from bladder incontinence. Women are twice as much likely to suffer from incontinence as men or young adults. A woman goes through numerous stressful conditions during routine menstruation, pregnancy and childbirth and menopause. All of these conditions and the nature of female urinary tract are responsible for this increased predisposition.

Understanding Incontinence in women

About 45% of the female population suffers from forms of bladder incontinence. While it is a common problem, it is not the natural condition of the human body and there are steps women can take to control and manage it better.

Urine Continence is basically an involuntary loss of control of the urinary bladder resulting in leakage. There are millions of women in America suffering from this problem. There are multiple types and causes of bladder incontinence and as such there are several treatments and self-care methods available. An overview of some of the most common types of bladder incontinence is mentioned below.

• Stress incontinence- Stress based incontinence happens due to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. This kind of incontinence happens when the muscles around the bladder are put under stress such as during a sneeze, laughter, exercise or a cough. Some of the major reasons for the weakening of the. Pelvic floor muscles involve pregnancy and childbirth which stretches those muscles putting continuous stress on them. Obesity or overweight are other factors that contribute to the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles.
• Urge incontinence- Also known as overactive bladder, this type of incontinence results in a strong urge to urinate and the patient is unable to withstand the urge before reaching the bathroom. Damage to bladder nerves or parts of the nervous system and muscle damage are the primary reasons for urge incontinence. Some of the diseases that cause such nerve damage include diabetes, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease among others. Certain bladder infections and bladder stones can also cause urge incontinence.
• Overflow incontinence- Overflow incontinence refers to the inability of the patient to relieve themselves completely during urination. Dribbling during urination is a common sign of overflow incontinence. There are multiple reasons for overflow incontinence such as damage to the bladder muscles, nerve damage, tumors or enlarged prostate blocking the flow of urine, constipation, certain medications.
• Functional incontinence- These problems are mental and physical conditions such as dementia or arthritis, that do not allow patients to go to the bathroom.
• Mixed urinary incontinence- Mixed urinary incontinence is a complicated problem that has more than of the above-mentioned conditions.

While some of the types of incontinence have severe underlying conditions, the others are easily treatable. As a matter of fact, there are certain lifestyle changes patients can make themselves to start treatment.

Tips for managing incontinence in women

Having a weak or leaking bladder is not an unsolvable problem. Unless incontinence is caused by some serious underlying condition, there are certain steps women can take to manage or treat incontinence. While women should most definitely consult a physician for this problem, these are some of the self-care steps they can take on their own.

• Pelvic Floor Exercises- The pelvic floor muscles are responsible for providing the strength to hold urine. If these muscles are weak due to pregnancy, prostate surgery or obesity, then it will result in incontinence. The positions in the pelvic floor muscles exercises should be held for as long as the patient can.  They should be performed regularly for 2 hours. They’re also called quick flicks as they mainly involve sudden contraction and relaxation of the muscle. Such pelvic floor muscle exercises can also help the sudden urge to urinate.
• Limit caffeine and alcohol- The more the bladder is full, the greater chance of incontinence. Added to this, caffeine and alcohol are irritants to the nerves of the bladder and can make it easier to have incontinence. Limit the consumption of all unnecessary beverages except water. Failing to do so, might result in the patient going to the bathroom an uncomfortable number of times throughout the day.
• Do drink water- Even if there is incontinence, it is important to drink at least, 6 to 8 glasses of water every day. Drinking less water doesn’t mean that the body will not make urine. The urine will be more concentrated and might cause irritation.   
• Make a bathroom schedule- It is important to take proactive steps in managing incontinence. Making a fixed routine for drinking water and going to the bathroom can help patients stay ahead of their incontinence. The main idea is to urinate before the urge is strong enough and a schedule can help patients do so. Patients should note down the time gap between their urges and ensure that they visit the washroom.
• Use wearable devices and products- There is a wide range of wearable products available that can help women suffering from incontinence. Padded undergarments, adult diapers, bed mats and underpads and swim diapers. Added to this, women can use skin care products, and deodorizers. Women can also use special incontinence-tampons which can help them reach the washroom in time.
• Stay fit and healthy- Since overweight and obesity are causes of incontinence, it is important to stay healthy and keep the weight under control. Continence primarily happens when the pelvic floor muscles are put under stress. Having a healthy diet and getting regular exercise is not only good for the body but can help keep incontinence away.

Patients should ensure that they equip their washrooms with incontinence diaper disposal bins and safely dispose of them. Incontinence is not an unmanageable problem but can make life difficult and present embarrassing situations. It is vital to consult the doctor and seek professional help for getting rid of this condition along with taking the above-mentioned steps. BY taking precaution and making a health routine women can stay one step ahead of their incontinence problems and can manage leakages better without any kind of mishap during the course of their treatment.