Conditions we treat
BLADDER DYSFUNCTION
Urinary incontinence refers to the involuntary escape of urine from the bladder. It may be broadly categorised into two different types- stress and urge incontinence, and will affect over 1/3 of women.
What is it?
Changes to bladder function as we age are common and may include:
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an increased number of trips to the toilet called urinary frequency
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increased urgency to get to the toilet called urinary urgency
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difficulty emptying your bladder
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recurrent urinary tract infections
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urinary incontinence.
Stress Urinary Incontinence refers to leakage of urine associated with increased intra-abdominal pressure such as sneezing, coughing, laughing, jumping, running or attending your favourite HIIT class at the Gym.
Urge Urinary Incontinence refers to leakage of urine associated with an urge to empty your bladder and may cause you to leak on the way to the toilet.
What causes it?
Our bladder function can be influenced by events such as:
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labour and childbirth which can affect the strength, endurance and co-ordination of our pelvic floor muscles
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increased tone in the pelvic floor muscles
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age-related ages to our muscles and connective tissues.
It is often reported that urinary incontinence is a normal part of ageing, but whilst common, it is not normal to leak. There is strong evidence to support the role of Physiotherapy in managing urinary incontinence and other types of bladder dysfunction outlined above, so please book in with us if your bladder function has changed or you are concerned about it.