Urgency Urinary Incontinence
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Urgency Urinary Incontinence
The bladder is an organ that stores urine. Its wall is made of muscle which contracts to empty the bladder when it is full and you are ready to go to the toilet. An overactive bladder means the bladder contracts before it is full. It can sometimes contract when you are not ready. You might go to the toilet often and find it hard to hold on until you get there. At times you may leak urine on the way to the toilet.
What Causes Overactive Bladder?
An overactive bladder may be related to health problems, such as:
- stroke
- Parkinson's disease
- Multiple Sclerosis
For some people the cause is unknown.
What Are Normal Bladder Habits?
It is normal to:
- empty your bladder about four to six times through the day
- empty your bladder before you go to bed at night
- empty your bladder once overnight
- empty your bladder when you get out of bed in the morning
A healthy bladder holds about 400-600mls. The first sensation or urge to go to the toilet usually starts when there is 200-300mls in the bladder. This pattern may change a little in older people. Older people may need to go to the toilet more often including up to twice at night.
What is in a Bladder Training Program?
The aim of bladder training is to improve symptoms of overactive bladder. Bladder training teaches you how to hold more urine in your bladder without the feelings of urgency. Visit your doctor, a nurse continence specialist or pelvic health physiotherapist if you think you have an overactive bladder, especially if you are experiencing any incontinence or leakage. They could start you on a bladder training program.
You may be asked to keep a bladder diary. You need to keep the diary for at least 3 days. It keeps track of how your bladder works.
The bladder diary keeps track of:
- the time you go to the toilet
- how much urine you pass each time
- how strong you felt the urge to empty each time