I’m leaking while I run!…. What type of incontinence do I have and what can I do about it?
Leaking urine, also known as urinary incontinence, can affect both women and men of all ages and backgrounds. Urinary incontinence is often diagnosed as ‘stress urinary incontinence’ or ‘urgency urinary incontinence’ (also known as overactive bladder) and sometimes ‘mixed urinary incontinence’. Often times these bladder control problems do not need surgical treatment and can be significantly improved by pelvic floor exercises and bladder re-training supervised by a Pelvic Health Physiotherapist.
There are 3 main types of urinary incontinence:
Stress Urinary Incontinence
This happens when leakage of urine occurs when pressure is applied to the bladder, such as during a cough or a sneeze, when lifting/pushing or pulling heavy weight or simply when standing up from a chair or getting out of a car. This type of urinary
incontinence can also be called ‘activity related urinary incontinence’.
Urgency Urinary Incontinence
This occurs when urinary leakage happens with a SUDDEN and powerful URGE to use your bladder. Often people are unable to make it to the toilet on time. And commonly these urges occur with a ‘trigger’ such as putting the key in the front door, driving into your driveway or doing the washing up!
Mixed Urinary Incontinence
This means a person will have symptoms of both types of urinary incontinence.
What do I do if I have bladder control problems?
It is a good idea to discuss your bladder control problems with your GP first. They may want to rule out a urinary tract infection.
It is also recommended that you engage with a Physiotherapist specialising in Pelvic Floor. The Physiotherapists specialising in Pelvic Floor at Alchemy are uniquely trained to provide education, information and supervised treatment to help you manage your bladder control problems.
A referral from a GP is not necessary to come in and see one of our Physiotherapists specialising in Pelvic Floor.
By Zoe Mills
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