Thursday, March 28, 2024

What Causes Light Bladder Leakage

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Common Causes Of Stress Incontinence

Prevail eNurse discusses light bladder leakage on The Balancing Act

Stress incontinence can occur for a number of reasons. Below, weve listed a few of the top contributing factors and how to address them.

  • Coughing or sneezing: If you have a chronic cough, make sure you see a doctor to have it treated. If your cough is caused by your smoking habit, it may be time to kick the butt for good. Smokers are much more likely to deal with light bladder leakage than non-smokers.
  • Exercising: If you find yourself leaking urine while walking, jogging or jumping, try putting yourself on a urination schedule before and during your gym session. Hit the bathroom just before you hit the treadmill, then take bathroom breaks according to a set schedule while you workout.
  • Weight gain and/or pregnancy: When you put on a significant amount of weight, you risk weakening the muscles of your pelvic floor, which likely will lead to leakage. If youve gained weight due to lifestyle reasons, make sure you start eating healthy and exercising regularly to reclaim your svelte figure. If youve gained weight due to pregnancy, remember to keep your weight gain within a healthy range and dont forget to practice your Kegels! Theyll help keep your pelvic floor muscles strong.

Types And Causes Of Urinary Incontinence

If you constantly feel like youve peed your pants, first of all, we want you to know you are not alone, girlfriend. It is the worst, isnt it? Not only is it totally embarrassing and uncomfortable, it can also cause a lot of concern. Why is this happening? What can I do about it? How do I hide it? I mean, we used to joke about using padded underwear when we were teens and now suddenly, we need it? Ugh.

But dont worry. There are some things you can do to help control bladder leakage and different types of urinary incontinence, so you can deal with it and have a great day.

Stress Incontinence Vs Urge Incontinence

Different women experience incontinence for different reasons. Stress incontinence is light bladder leakage that occurs in response to stress placed on the body. For instance, coughing, sneezing, laughing and exercising are all common causes of stress incontinence. While these are physical stressors, psychological stress can also play a role. So, whether youre working in a stressful job or dealing with a high-stress home situation, you may find that the urge to urinate becomes more frequent.

Urge incontinence, on the other hand, occurs when you have a sudden need to urinate because your bladder contracts or spasms at unexpected times. Some urge incontinence can be related to certain events for instance, if you hear the sound of rushing water, you may suddenly feel the urge to urinate. Other causes of urge incontinence are less predictable and, in most cases, no specific cause can be found.

More:3 Tips for Managing an Irritable Bladder

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What Is Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the uncontrolled leakage of urine from the bladder. The amount of urine leakage varies from child to child, as does the time of day when it occurs. Accidents are very common while toilet training but if leaks are still occurring when the child is five years old or so, they may warrant further investigation.

There are different types of urinary incontinence:

  • Urge incontinence This is when there is a sudden urge to use the toilet but there might not be time to get to a toilet before leakage occurs.
  • Overflow incontinence This occurs when the bladder is never fully emptied so gradually gets fuller and fuller until leakage occurs.
  • Mixed incontinence This is when there are different types of incontinence occurring in the same person.
  • Stress incontinence This is the most common type in adults, when leakage occurs when sneezing, coughing or exercising.

Urinary incontinence affects many people in the UK of all ages. Although it may seem a normal part of childhood, it is often worth requesting a check-up if problems are occurring after starting school.

How Do I Do Kegel Exercises

Coping with Light Bladder Leakage: Incontinence Products

To do Kegels:

  • Lie down. It may be easier to learn how to do Kegels correctly while lying down. You dont have to lie down once you learn to do Kegels correctly.
  • Squeeze the muscles in your genital area as if you were trying to stop the flow of urine or passing gas. Try not to squeeze the muscles in your belly or legs at the same time. Try to squeeze only the pelvic muscles. Be extra careful not to tighten your stomach, legs, or buttocks .
  • Relax.Squeeze the muscles again and hold for 3 seconds. Then relax for 3 seconds. Work up to 3 sets of 10 each day.
  • Practice Kegels anywhere. When your muscles get stronger, try doing Kegels while sitting or standing. You can do these exercises at any time, such as while sitting at your desk or in the car, waiting in line, or doing the dishes. Dont do Kegel exercises at the same time you are urinating. This can weaken your pelvic floor muscles over time.10
  • If you are uncomfortable or uncertain about doing Kegel exercises on your own, a doctor or nurse can also teach you how to do Kegels. A pelvic floor physical therapist or other specialist may also be available in your area to help teach you how to strengthen these muscles.

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    Treatment For Light Bladder Leakage

    • Pelvic exercises such as Kegel exercise to make the muscle in tone. To do this, you just have to alternately constrict and dilate your sphincters as in urinating or having a bowel movement.
    • Avoid activities that impose pressure to your urinary bladder such as jumping, running, and certain sports. Athletes suffering from LBL are advised to drink water as they usually do to cope up with the loss of fluids and electrolytes from their activities.
    • Lifestyle modification. Avoid smoking and drinking too much or better if you can stop them. Light to moderate exercise is good for burning fat. Smoking weakens all tissues including bladder muscles that lead to incontinence.
    • Mind your diet. It is important to compute for your daily caloric intake for maintenance. Any excess will surely make you gain weight. Increased body weight puts additional pressure to the bladder one of light bladder leakage causes.
    • Other cases may suggest the existence of a serious disease. Consulting a urologist is equally important.

    The Process Stop Being Embarrassed By Lbl

    Freeing yourself from stress incontinence requires just three or four visits to Remedy Laser.

    Visit 1One of our doctors will perform a thorough medical assessment to evaluate your incontinence and your suitability for laser treatment.

    Your bladder needs to be full when you arrive for this assessment.Please empty your bladder and then drink a litre of water at least an hour before your appointment. It is important that you donât then go to the bathroom until after our doctor performs an ultrasound to measure your urine volume.

    We use an ultrasound device to measure your bladder volume. Other tests might also be performed at this visit .

    Visit 2Itâs time for your first IncontiLase treatment. There is no special preparation required prior to this treatment, no significant discomfort during treatment, and youâll likely walk out with an immediate reduction in stress incontinence.

    You can immediately return to your normal life, but it is advisable to abstain from intercourse for a week.

    Excessive exercise and heavy lifting should also be avoided.

    Visit 3You will have your second IncontiLase treatment 4 weeks after the first. The aim of the second treatment is to give a long lasting and even more effective relief from LBL.

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    How To Talk To Your Doctor About Bladder Leaks

    How do you bring up urinary incontinence to your doctor? And what do you say? Hereâs a helpful guide to get the conversation going!

    An easy way to begin the conversation is describing the bladder issues you are experiencing. For example, you could start by saying, âI pee a little when I laugh or cough,â or, âI wake up with wet sheets,â or even simply, âMy bladder leaks.â

    Every healthcare professional will tell you that the more information, the better. A good diagnosis depends largely on the information you can give your doctor when you talk. The questions listed below can help facilitate a productive conversation about your sensitive bladder with your doctor that will allow you to start discussing next steps.

    • When do you experience urinary losses?
    • How often do you urinate each day?
    • How often do you get up during the night to use the restroom?
    • How much liquid do you drink daily?
    • Do you experience unexpected leaks? Do you leak when you sneeze, cough or exercise?
    • Do bladder leaks prevent you from participating at work or in your social life?

    Your healthcare professional may also decide to perform a physical examination. They may be looking to inspect the way your abdomen contracts. They may also check the firmness of your pelvic floor when you cough.

    Drink The Right Fluids At The Right Time

    Denise Asks Awkward Questions Ep 8: Light bladder leakage?

    Women who experience any type of incontinence should avoid tea, coffee, soda, alcohol, or citrusy or caffeinated beverages.

    Whats the best fluid to drink? Water! Dr. Crisp laughs. She also reminds women to stay hydrated whether they have incontinence or not. Most women know that theyre going to leak if their bladder is full so they either intentionally or unintentionally dont drink as much as they should, but thats not good for your body.

    It is also important to avoid drinking anything for about three hours before you go to bed.

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    Advanced Therapies For Urinary Incontinence

    If medications dont work, or you dont like the side effects that come along with them, there are other options. The procedures listed below can be performed in a doctors office, and can provide relief from incontinence.

    PTNS/SNM

    Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation, or sacral neuromodulation are two different procedures, but they both work in a similar way. These procedures deliver stimulation to nerves that help to block bladder spasms and can help people who suffer from an overactive bladder. They are low-risk, and non-surgical treatment options that are typically very effective.

    Botox for OAB

    You may already know that Botox can be used for wrinkles, but did you know that its approved for treating overactive bladder too? Botox injections into the bladder muscle can help block the nerve signals that trigger OAB, reducing and in some cases, completely stopping leakage in patients with OAB.

    Surgery

    If you feel youve tried everything, surgery may be an option for you. There are different types of surgery available for those who live with incontinence, and the type of surgery your doctor suggests will depend on your specific condition. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risk of surgery to see if this is an option for you.

    Related Conditions And Causes Of Urinary Incontinence

    Fecal incontinence is the inability to hold a bowel movement until reaching a bathroom, or light to moderate bowel leakage due to diarrhea, constipation, or muscle or nerve damage.

    As described in the section above on causes of urinary incontinence, common conditions may contribute to chronic urinary incontinence, including: urinary tract infection , constipation, interstitial cystitis or other bladder conditions, nerve damage that affects bladder control, side effects from a prior surgery, and neurological disorders.

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    Common Causes Of Urge Incontinence

    In most cases, the cause of urge incontinence cant be found, but certain lifestyle factors can play a part. For instance, certain dietary habits can cause bladder irritation that leads to spasms. For example, some people may experience bladder spasms after intaking caffeine, while other people may experience bladder irritation after eating spicy foods, citrus or artificial sweeteners.

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    Tips For Living With Urinary Incontinence

    I laughed so hard I nearly...5 Ways to Deal with Light Bladder Leakage

    With a little planning, you can manage your urinary incontinence so it doesnt affect your life too much. There are many products available to help you live with incontinence, such as pads, catheters or bedding protection. Some of these are subsidised by the government.

    It can help to get into a routine. Plan for outings, make sure you have enough products and spare clothes in case you have an accident, and know how to find the nearest toilet.

    Other tips include:

    • Avoiding lifting. Lifting puts strain on your pelvic floor muscles, so avoid it wherever you can. When you do need to lift something, such as when picking up children or shopping bags, tighten your pelvic floor muscles before and during the lift.
    • Drinking plenty of water. Many people with urinary incontinence avoid drinking fluids as they feel it causes more problems. However, limiting your fluid intake makes incontinence worse because it reduces your bladder’s capacity. Some medical conditions may require you to limit your fluid intake, so ask your doctor if youre unsure how much water you should drink each day.
    • Avoiding certain foods. Spicy and acidic foods, such as curries and citrus fruits, can irritate the bladder and make symptoms worse.
    • Download the National Public Toilet Map, which shows the location of more than 19,000 public and private public toilet facilities across Australia.

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    Why Does Urinary Incontinence Happen

    There are two main types of urinary incontinence:

    • Stress incontinence
    • Urge incontinence

    Stress incontinence occurs when your pelvic floor muscles the muscles that support your bladder and urethra weaken, either due to childbirth or over time, says Dr. Lindo.

    If youre experiencing stress incontinence, you might find yourself leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise or lift something heavy.

    Urge incontinence, on the other hand, occurs when the bladder muscle squeezes to empty out urine when it is not supposed to. It may be due to the amount or type of fluids you drink, resulting in spasms, explains Dr. Lindo. Additionally, urgency incontinence can sometimes be a sign of a larger health complication, such as a bladder infection.

    With urge incontinence, you likely experience an overwhelming, sudden need to urinate and leak urine before you can make it to the bathroom.

    For many women the exact cause of their urge urinary incontinence is unknown, adds Dr. Lindo. However, there are many treatments that can help you manage symptoms.

    How Soon After Starting Kegel Exercises Will Urinary Incontinence Get Better

    It may take 4 to 6 weeks before you notice any improvement in your symptoms.10

    Kegel exercises work differently for each person. Your symptoms may go away totally, you may notice an improvement in your symptoms but still have some leakage, or you may not see any improvement at all. But even if your symptoms dont get better, Kegel exercises can help prevent your incontinence from getting worse.

    You may need to continue doing Kegel exercises for the rest of your life. Even if your symptoms improve, urinary incontinence can come back if you stop doing the exercises.

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    Treatment For Urinary Incontinence

    Today, there are more treatments for urinary incontinence than ever before. The choice of treatment depends on the type of bladder control problem you have, how serious it is, and what best fits your lifestyle. As a general rule, the simplest and safest treatments should be tried first.

    Bladder control training may help you get better control of your bladder. Your doctor may suggest you try the following:

    • Pelvic muscle exercises work the muscles that you use to stop urinating. Making these muscles stronger helps you hold urine in your bladder longer. Learn more about pelvic floor exercises and how to do them.
    • Biofeedback uses sensors to make you aware of signals from your body. This may help you regain control over the muscles in your bladder and urethra. Biofeedback can be helpful when learning pelvic muscle exercises.
    • Timed voiding may help you control your bladder. In timed voiding, you urinate on a set schedule, for example, every hour. You can slowly extend the time between bathroom trips. When timed voiding is combined with biofeedback and pelvic muscle exercises, you may find it easier to control urge and overflow incontinence.
    • Lifestyle changes may help with incontinence. Losing weight, quitting smoking, saying no to alcohol, drinking less caffeine , preventing constipation and avoiding lifting heavy objects may help with incontinence. Choosing water instead of other drinks and limiting drinks before bedtime may also help.

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    Other Types Of Bladder Leakage

    SAM Light Bladder Leakage product by Poise
    • Mixed Incontinence: This label is given to bladder leakage conditions that stem from more than one form of incontinence, whether stress, urge, functional, or overflow. Women can be often diagnosed with stress and urge incontinence at the same time.
    • Transient Incontinence: A transient incontinence refers to a temporary condition of a bladder leakage. It is often seen with complications after surgery, an irritated bladder, chronic constipation, and as a side effect of some diuretic and sleep-induced medication.
    • Total Incontinence: A total loss of bladder function is referred to as total incontinence. This may be a result of nerve or bladder damage or disease that hinders the regular functioning of the bladder. Some cases of multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injuries may see a malfunction of the bladder to store urine.

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    Types Of Urinary Incontinence

    There are different types of urinary incontinence, each with different causes and treatments:

    Stress incontinence: Someone leaks small amounts of urine when they cough, sneeze, laugh or play sport. This happens because increased pressure inside the tummy presses down on the bladder.

    Its more common in women around the time of childbirth or after menopause. It can also happen in people who have diabetes, a chronic cough , constipation or obesity.

    Urge incontinence: The person suddenly and urgently needs to wee. This condition is sometimes called an unstable or overactive bladder. People with urge incontinence feel like their bladder is fuller than it actually is. They may need to wee very often, including during the night.

    Urge incontinence often gets worse with age, and can be triggered by stress or by drinking caffeine in tea, coffee and fizzy drinks or alcohol. Its also linked to stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and other health conditions that interfere in the messages sent between the bladder and the brain.

    Incontinence associated with chronic retention: The bladder doesnt empty properly so it leaks small amounts of urine. This can happen due to a blockage in the urethra , an enlarged prostate, a prolapse, or damage to the nerves around the bladder or pelvic floor muscles.

    The condition can be caused by some medicines and is also linked to diabetes, multiple sclerosis, stroke and Parkinson’s disease.

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