Tips and exercises
Urinary incontinence is not a disease, but a consequence. For example, it can be caused by surgery, pregnancy or illness. Per person urine loss can therefore be very different. And the treatments are also different.
To know what can help you, you must first find out why you suffer from urine loss. Only then can you find a suitable treatment. There are these types of incontinence.
Stress incontinence
Stress incontinence (exercise incontinence) is the involuntary loss of urine during exertion, such as coughing, lifting, having sex, playing sports, laughing. One in four women over the age of 35 suffers from it.
In stress incontinence, the sphincter and/or pelvic floor muscles do not work properly. The main cause for this is pelvic floor weakness due to predisposition, pregnancy or hormonal changes (menopause).
Initially, the treatment of stress incontinence usually focuses on strengthening the pelvic floor with the help of physiotherapy. If that doesn’t help, TVT (urethral sling) surgery is usually recommended.
urge incontinence
Urge incontinence (urge incontinence) is a form in which one feels the urge to urinate, but the urine also comes immediately. We also speak of an overactive bladder.
In fact, the bladder contracts when it shouldn’t. There may be physical or psychological causes. If the balance between the bladder and the closing mechanism is disturbed, the bladder can contract involuntarily (unstable bladder).
A psychological factor can be that one is completely fixated on urination and goes to the toilet at the slightest urgency.
Mixed incontinence
Mixed incontinence has a combination of characteristics of both urge and stress incontinence. The problems often occur in combination, but each must be treated separately.
drip incontinence
Drip incontinence is characterized by the unintentional loss of urine. Men especially suffer from this form of incontinence.
The cause may be an enlargement of the prostate, where there is an obstruction of the urethra. The urine accumulates in the bladder and can only come out drop by drop. Surgery is then a possible solution.
Drip incontinence can also result from the malfunctioning of the pelvic floor muscles. In that case, exercises can help. Women who have an enlargement of the ovaries or uterus or who have a very strong bladder prolapse may also experience drip incontinence.
However, the simplest cause of drip incontinence is a malfunctioning sphincter. This will always remain slightly open, allowing urine to drip away.
Drink enough
It does not sound logical, but it is wise to drink enough when incontinence. If you do not do this, there is a risk that urine production will decrease. This can give you infections. So make sure you get two liters of fluids every day.
Avoid taking diuretics and drugs that promote diuresis (such as coffee and alcohol). Also keep in mind the times when you drink! For example, do not drink too much just before going to sleep or if you have to sit for a long time.
Train your pelvic floor
Exercises can help partially control incontinence. Medicines can also be prescribed to support the effect of the exercises.
If you suffer from mixed or stress incontinence, exercises with the pelvic floor muscles can help. You can relax and tighten your pelvic floor muscles in a controlled manner. You can do a number of exercises for this.
There are also various devices on the market with which you can train the pelvic floor muscles. Finally, you can opt for a physiotherapeutic treatment.
If you suffer from urge incontinence, bladder exercises can help. You will learn to postpone urination. You will also learn to empty your bladder completely. Bladder training is often provided in outpatient clinics.
Talk about it
Incontinence can hinder a person in his movements, but there are solutions. So it is not the case that ‘there is nothing that can be done about it’. Nor is it the case that incontinence is ‘just part of getting older’. So don’t just settle for wearing a bandage every day. Other solutions are possible.
Do you think your symptoms are related to incontinence or an overactive bladder? Then talk to your doctor about it. He knows the methods to help you. In addition to the tips listed here, there are also medications and surgeries that can help you.
