What Exactly is Incontinence?

What Is Incontinence?
9 March 2023

What Exactly is Incontinence?

Incontinence is characterised by the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control. This can lead to spontaneous leaking of either urine or faeces, depending on the type of incontinence you live with. It is a medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide, so why is there so much taboo surrounding the topic? 

Let’s talk about what incontinence is, how it affects peoples lives, and how to live with it in the best way possible. 

What are the different types of incontinence?

There are a few different types of incontinence. The most common types are stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and overflow incontinence. Let’s look at the differences:

1. Stress incontinence

Stress incontinence is caused by weakened pelvic muscles and is often associated with pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and ageing. It is characterised by the leakage of urine when a person laughs, coughs, sneezes, or lifts something heavy.

2. Urge incontinence 

Urge incontinence, also known as overactive bladder, is caused by an overactive bladder muscle that contracts too frequently. When you have urge incontinence, you will likely experience a sudden and intense urge to urinate, followed by involuntary leakage of urine.

3. Overflow incontinence

Overflow incontinence is caused by a blockage or damage to the bladder, which prevents it from emptying properly. This can lead to the constant dribbling of urine or the feeling of being unable to completely empty the bladder.

What exactly causes incontinence? 

Incontinence can be caused by a variety of factors. Medical conditions like diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), and Parkinsons can cause incontinence, as can some medications, surgeries, and lifestyle factors like smoking and obesity. 

There is no denying that incontinence is a difficult condition to live with, and can be debilitating if the individual is not given the correct support to live everyday in the best way possible. Luckily, there are many treatment options available, as well as loads of ways to manage symptoms on a daily basis. 

What is the best way to manage the symptoms of incontinence? 

You should visit your GP if you have started to experience incontinence symptoms. They can help you to determine the cause of the condition and recommend appropriate treatment.
There are a range of treatments available that can help to manage symptoms on a day to day basis. 

These may include pelvic floor exercises, bladder training, losing weight, or cutting down on alcohol. In some cases, medication may be prescribed to help control bladder function.

What are the best incontinence products? 

There are a huge variety of incontinence products available to help make your symptoms a bit easier to deal with. Whether male or female, you can find the best product for you in our extensive range;

From maternity pads to pull up pants, washable pants to chair pads, and shaped insert pads to all in one slips, there is no better selection of  products than at the Incontinence Shop.