{"id":704,"date":"2024-09-13T17:29:11","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T17:29:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.purpldiscounts.com\/?p=704"},"modified":"2025-11-07T17:54:18","modified_gmt":"2025-11-07T17:54:18","slug":"practical-tips-to-help-you-manage-bladder-weakness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.purpldiscounts.com\/practical-tips-to-help-you-manage-bladder-weakness\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for Managing Bladder Weakness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Urinary incontinence can be an uncomfortable experience sometimes, but it’s more common than you might think. Millions of people around the world experience some form of incontinence, with 1 in 4 people in the UK thought to experience <\/a>bladder<\/a> leakage<\/a>. Luckily, there are some really effective strategies to help you manage it. In this article, we\u2019ll take a look at the different types of incontinence, and some general tips you can deploy to help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Understanding Urinary Incontinence<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before we dive into the tips, it’s important to know what urinary incontinence is. Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. It ranges from occasional minor leaks to chronic, severe wetting. There are several types of urinary incontinence:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Stress Incontinence:<\/strong> Stress incontinence is a common type of urinary incontinence characterised by the involuntary leakage of urine during physical activities. Usually, ones that put pressure on the bladder. This can occur during everyday life when coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, or lifting heavy objects. It happens when the muscles and tissues supporting the bladder and urethra become weakened. Things like childbirth, ageing, obesity, or pelvic surgery can result in stress incontinence. As a result, the bladder experiences increased pressure and is unable to retain pee effectively. You can manage your stress incontinence with activities including pelvic floor exercises, lifestyle modifications such as weight loss, avoiding bladder irritants, and in some cases, medical treatments or surgical interventions. 
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Urge Incontinence:<\/strong> Urge incontinence, also known as an overactive bladder, usually describes a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by involuntary leakage. This occurs when the bladder muscles contract uncontrollably, leading to a strong need to pee even when the bladder isn\u2019t full. There are a lot of things that can lead to urge incontinence, including urinary tract infections (UTIs)<\/a>, bladder irritants (like caffeine or alcohol), neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, and certain medications. Some lifestyle changes can help manage urge incontinence, such as bladder training to gradually increase the intervals between bathroom visits, avoiding triggers like caffeine and alcohol, and maintaining a healthy weight. 
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Overflow Incontinence:<\/strong> Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder is unable to empty completely, leading to frequent or constant dribbling of urine. This is often caused by a blockage in the urinary tract, such as an enlarged prostate in men, or due to weakened bladder muscles that can’t contract properly. It can also be caused by nerve damage from conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injuries, which disrupt the signals between the bladder and the brain. People with overflow incontinence may feel as though their bladder is never fully empty and may experience frequent urination in small amounts. Managing overflow incontinence typically involves treating the underlying cause.
    <\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Functional Incontinence:<\/strong> Functional incontinence is a type of urinary incontinence where a person is unable to reach the bathroom in time due to physical or cognitive impairments, despite having a normally functioning bladder. This condition can come from mobility issues, such as arthritis or injury, which make it difficult to move quickly, or from cognitive disorders like Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, which affect memory and judgment. Managing functional incontinence might include using mobility aids, ensuring clear and quick access to the bathroom, implementing scheduled bathroom trips, and utilizing incontinence products for extra protection. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Now that we have a basic understanding, let’s explore some tips to manage urinary incontinence effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    Stay Hydrated <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Drinking water is essential for keeping the body healthy. The British Nutrition Foundation recommends drinking six to eight glasses daily<\/a>. But what about if you\u2019re managing incontinence? It\u2019s really important to understand how much water you should be drinking every day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Drinks like squash and cups of tea are both sources of hydration and taste great. Alcohol, however, is definitely not a good alternative. Alcohol causes all kinds of problems in your body, notably dehydration and it can make your bladder weakness worse. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The best way to tell if you\u2019re drinking enough is to have a quick look at your pee. It\u2019s not the most glamorous thing to do, but it\u2019s a surefire way to tell if you\u2019re on the right track. If your pee is the colour of champagne, you\u2019re doing well. If your pee is a darker colour (pale ale if we are sticking to alcohol comparisons) then you need to drink more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n\n\n\n

    Pelvic Floor Exercises<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles can significantly reduce symptoms of urinary incontinence, particularly stress incontinence. Building a strong pelvic floor is a really important part of helping to reduce your bladder leaks. They\u2019re easy to perform and come with huge benefits. If you\u2019re living an active lifestyle then getting in some pelvic floor exercises is going to be really beneficial in the long run. 

    1. Reduce your risk of developing incontinence
    <\/strong>One of the primary functions of the pelvic floor is controlling the release of your poo and wee. Weak pelvic floor muscles can lead to leakage when sneezing, coughing, or even laughing. Similarly, faecal incontinence, although less talked about, can also result from pelvic floor weakness. Building and maintaining a strong pelvic floor not only reduces your risk of developing incontinence, but it\u2019ll also help you regain control if you\u2019re already incontinent. 

    2. Pregnancy and postpartum health
    <\/strong>This one\u2019s just for the ladies. During pregnancy, your body undergoes big changes. During this time, the pelvic floor experiences added stress. Strong pelvic floor muscles can help support a growing uterus, reducing the risk of complications like pelvic organ prolapse. Strengthening these muscles after giving birth helps with recovery and helps to prevent long-term issues, such as stress urinary incontinence.     You can read all about postpartum leakage here.<\/a>

    3. Back and pelvic stability
    <\/strong>Beyond maintaining continence and keeping your organs in place, a robust pelvic floor can contribute to overall body stability. These muscles work with the abdominal and back muscles to support the spine and pelvis. A weak pelvic floor can lead to issues like lower back pain and pelvic instability, affecting your mobility and quality of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Kegel exercises are the most well-known pelvic floor exercise. Here’s how to do them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. Identify the muscles:<\/strong> The easiest way to find your pelvic floor muscles is to pretend you\u2019re stopping a pee midstream. The muscles you use are your pelvic floor muscles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Contract and hold:<\/strong> Contract these muscles for five seconds, then relax for five seconds. Repeat 10 times.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Increase duration:<\/strong> Gradually increase the time you hold the contraction.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Perform these exercises three times a day if you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n\n\n\n

      Use High-Quality, Budget-Friendly Incontinence Products<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
      \"A<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      Disposable incontinence pads, pants and adult nappies can provide an extra layer of security and confidence. Today’s products are discreet, comfortable, and highly effective. There are plenty of different incontinence products available. But some of the most common are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n