Health Bladder weakness
Your guide to
bladder weakness
Urinary incontinence – also known as bladder weakness – is thought to affect millions of people, says the NHS. Here are the facts you should know
It's not something we like to talk about, but many of us will have heard of urinary incontinence. But what is it? It is when you pass urine unintentionally after losing control of your bladder. You are more likely to experience incontinence if
• You're pregnant • You've had a baby • You're overweight • You're getting older • Incontinence runs in your family
There are several different types of incontinence, the two most common of which are stress and urge incontinence. You may have a single type of incontinence or a mixture.
Stress incontinence Triggered by exercise, coughing, sneezing and laughing, this is the most common type of incontinence in women. Stress incontinence happens when
your pelvic floor muscles and the urethral sphincter become weakened. Several things may contribute to this, including
• Childbirth • Being pregnant or overweight • Menopause • Certain medicines
Urge incontinence This is when you experience a sudden and intense urge to pass urine or when you need to urinate frequently, including during the night. This may be caused by
• Urinary tract infection • Constipation • Too much alcohol or caffeine
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• Certain neurological conditions (such as multiple sclerosis) • Some medicines
Meanwhile less common types of incontinence include:
Overflow incontinence Also called chronic urinary retention, overflow incontinence is when you cannot empty your bladder completely. It may be the result of
• An enlarged prostate gland • Constipation • Bladder stones
Overactive bladder syndrome (OAB) Like urge incontinence, OAB makes you want to go to the toilet suddenly and frequently, but you may not lose control of your bladder. Things that may irritate the bladder and cause OAB include
• Having too much caffeine and fizzy drinks
• Not drinking enough fluids • Urinary tract infection
If you're experiencing any type of urinary incontinence, speak to your GP. They can help you find a way to manage the condition, this includes:
• Weight loss • Cutting down on caffeine and alcohol • Pelvic floor muscle training (also called Kegels)
• Bladder training (this can help you increase the amount of time between passing urine).
Medicine may be recommended if you're still unable to manage your symptoms and surgery may be considered.
How your pharmacist can help
The good news is your local Careway pharmacist stocks several types of products that may provide peace of mind for those with bladder weakness. These include a range of absorbent pads and pants that use layers to draw urine away from the surface, so your skin stays dry. Your pharmacist can also tell you about a new range of incontinence products, called Confide. For more serious incontinence
problems there are products available on the NHS such as washable bed pads, sheaths and drainage systems for men as well as urine collection devices for both and women. Ask your GP or practice nurse for more details Your pharmacist may also
recommend making lifestyle changes that could help keep your bladder healthy, such as
• Eating high-fibre foods to avoid constipation (this can make bladder weakness worse)
• Limiting spicy and acidic foods • Losing weight if you need to • Giving up smoking
To find your nearest Careway pharmacy visit
www.careway.co.uk/find-a-pharmacy.
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