This is never a comfortable subject to talk about over drinks or coffee, but incontinence happens to almost millions of people in the U.K. Imagine having uncontrollable urges to visit the loo, or worse, find yourself in a pool of urine after coughing or sneezing. If you find yourself being in these unfortunate circumstances, there’s a lot you must understand about this condition with the advice from CK Physio in London.

An estimated 20 percent of 40-year-olds, both men and women, suffer from urinary or bowel incontinence. Though a lot are suffering from incontinence, very little is known about this issue. Fortunately, medical experts can help clear up the myths and mysteries behind this condition, along with the best ways to treat it.

What is Incontinence, Really?

Incontinence occurs amongst men and women with weak pelvic floor muscles. The body’s pelvic floor is composed of muscles that keeps the organs in your urinary system in place and helps control your bladder and bowel movement. Like most muscles, however, your pelvic floor muscles tend to lose tone and strength due to lack of exercise. This, in turn, causes symptoms of incontinence.

There are three types of incontinence that can afflict anyone, the most common amongst them being Stress Incontinence. This happens when weak pelvic floor muscles result in leakages when you cough, sneeze, or exercise. Urge Incontinence, meanwhile, is characterised as the sudden and uncontrollable urge to visit the toilet numerous times. The combination of both these symptoms is known as Mixed Incontinence, and is often caused by pregnancy or being overweight.

How Does it Affect People?

Women are more likely to suffer from urinary incontinence. Though most people believe that it happens to older people, incontinence can affect everyone, regardless of age. This can have an effect on how you socialise with other people: you may opt to avoid attending social events, exercise classes, or even a night out with your friends because of your worry with leaks.

Where to Seek Help?

Fortunately, incontinence pads aren’t the only solution for your leak woes. Consider undergoing physiotherapy, especially if your incontinence is due to a weak pelvic floor. Physiotherapy aims to strengthen the muscles in your pelvic floor, thus helping you get better control over your bladder and bowel movement. In fact, pelvic floor muscle training offered by physiotherapy is found to be cheaper and more effective than incontinent drugs.

Aside from visits to centres offering physio in London like CK Physio, there are simple ways you can do to make these treatments work. Begin by regularly exercising your pelvic floor muscles to make them stronger. Adapting a healthy diet and drinking plenty of water also helps your bladder and bowels work properly.

Sources:
 

What is incontinence? Doctor's advice on treatment, products and THOSE pads, Express

Incontinence, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy