Urinary Incontinence

Have you ever leaked urine? If you have, you're not alone: research shows that over 400 million people may be affected by this condition worldwide. Urinary incontinence (UI) is a term that describes involuntary leakage of urine of any amount, and there can be lots of different reasons why it may happen. Both men and women can have UI, but it is more common in women. UI is also more common with increasing age; in 2014, approximately 1 in 4 women in the United States ages 60-69 were impacted.

Two common types of leakage are called stress and urge incontinence. Stress incontinence happens when a sudden increase in pressure within the abdomen places enough stress to overcome the strength or coordination of muscles that help maintain control of the bladder. Those with stress incontinence may experience leaking during activities like sneezing, laughing, jumping, coughing, or running. Many women report that they start to experience this type of leakage after having children and/or as they get older. In addition, athletes participating in activities with higher impact forces like running or jumping may also experience stress UI.

Urge incontinence happens when there is a sudden, unexpected urge to urinate. Often, those with urge UI are unable to make to the bathroom in time. Normally, the body sends a signal to the brain to let us know that we need to use the bathroom when the bladder is full; with urge incontinence, that signal is abnormally paired with a stimulus so that there is a sudden need to go regardless of how empty the bladder is. This type of leakage can often be triggered by different sights, sounds, or activities: for example, you might feel the sudden need to urinate when you hear water dripping, with the sound of your garage door closing, or when you put your key into the lock of your front door.

Leaking can cause both negative physical and emotional consequences. People with UI may avoid activities they previously enjoyed because of worry that they might leak. In some cases, those who have experienced childbirth may believe that leaking is an unavoidable. Strong evidence indicates that folks of all ages with UI can have significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety compared to those without. Additionally, incontinence may be associated with a higher risk for falls and decline in physical performance in older adults.

However, there are effective treatment options for UI. Physical therapy for pelvic floor muscle training has been shown to reduce leakage episodes, decrease quantity of leakage, and improve quality of life. A physical therapist with training in pelvic health PT can work with you to help figure out why you are leaking and make an individualized plan tailored to your needs in order to address it. Contact HPT to learn more about pelvic health physical therapy for UI today!

Sources:
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