Incontinence – everything you need to know to stop feeling embarrassed

Incontinence is a condition that can cause embarrassment and discomfort and can often lead to sufferers from seeking medical help and advice.

What is incontinence? 

Incontinence is the inability to control your bladder or bowel, so you accidentally lose urine from the bladder, which is known as urinary incontinence or faeces from the bowel, which is known as bowel incontinence. Incontinence is not just a problem for the elderly and can affect people of all ages. It can have a real impact on people’s daily lives, meaning that some people have to plan their daily activities around being close to a toilet.

Sometimes it can be cured and other times it can be managed with the right advice or treatment.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of incontinence can vary from one person to another. Some people can have occasional leaks, whilst others can have a complete loss of control of their bladder or bowels.

Symptoms of urinary incontinence include:

• Leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising
• Leaking urine before getting to the toilet
• Passing urine frequently
• Wetting the bed when asleep
• A feeling that the bladder isn’t completely empty

Symptoms of bowel incontinence include:

• Leaking from the bowel
• Urgent need to open bowels
• Being unable to control wind
• Straining or difficulty emptying bowels

How is it diagnosed? 

The first step in getting a diagnosis is to speak to your GP. They will be able to assess your symptoms, identify the cause and discuss with you what treatment options are available. To help with a diagnosis, your GP may wish to carry out some tests. Including a physical examination to assess your bladder, pelvic floor muscles for women or the prostate for men. Other tests could include an ultrasound scan of your bladder and a blood test to check the health of your kidneys.

How is it treated? 

Treatments can include:

• Exercises to help strengthen the muscles surrounding the bladder
• Bladder or bowel training
• Medications
• Surgery may be an option if other treatments haven’t helped

Incontinence products can help you manage the problem and carry on with your normal daily life. We offer the highest quality incontinence products at the very best prices.  If you need any advice and guidance on which products may be suitable for your requirements, please do get in touch with our experts who will be more than happy to talk through our range of incontinence products.