12 Facts about Incontinence That You Should Know About

Have you been missing out on a lot of fun and excitement in life just because you need to go to the bathroom frequently? Have you ever felt like asking for help with this matter but refrain from doing so lest others find it ridiculous that an adult like you cannot control your bladder as people your age should?

Your bladder’s inability to hold urine as it should is medically known as incontinence. And you are not alone – studies show that almost 13 million Americans, 15 million Australians and a global estimate of 200 million people suffer from it. Just like you, they have also experienced embarrassing “accidents”; they know how it’s like to decline wonderful opportunities that required them to sleep in hotels or other forms of accommodation lest somebody finds out about their condition; they also try to park their cars near toilets whenever they go to shopping areas or similar places.

The truth is, incontinence is a medical condition that can be treated. Why are there millions of people who’d rather suffer from it than get treatment? It’s because we have been conditioned to think that anything that involves our waste processes is to be kept silent. We can talk about sex anytime, anywhere, but incontinence? How we’d love to see folks talking about it in social media.

What’s the truth about incontinence?

In the past, people who suffered opted to put a lid on their leakage problems. They’d rather deny that they have it because they felt like freaks – overgrown babies who have never learned to control their bladders. So they just kept silent, hoping for that day when their worries would end. Others had their prayers answered, but for most of them, incontinence became an undesirable lifelong companion.

How did others overcome incontinence? It’s because they chose not to believe the myths surrounding incontinence and faced the truth that it is a medical condition that required medical attention. Here are twelve facts that will help you gain better understanding about incontinence.

1. Stop feeling that you are the only one who has it. As we’ve stated earlier, millions of people all over the world suffer the same plight as you. And just like you, they don’t want to come out in the open due to embarrassment.


2. Incontinence is not age selective. Don’t think that it happens only to older people. Yes, it’s true that the older you get, the more chances you’ll have to lose control of your bladder. This does not mean that a 20 something person cannot have it. Experts say that they’ve treated patients from ages ranging from 18-98.


3. Occasional accidents should not be ignored. Some people think that occasional leaks are just natural. They say that it’s only due to coughing, laughing, exercising or other activities that will put pressure on the bladder. No, leaks are not normal, and the earlier you consult a physician, the better. It’s because incontinence may cause or even be a symptom of an underlying disease like urinary tract infection, diabetes or kidney trouble.


4. Stressful situations can trigger incontinence. Difficult exams, bullying or even being left alone in an empty room can upset your bladder and force you to relieve yourself right there and then. That’s why it’s important not to scold a parent or a child who suffers from it. The more you sound critical, the more they will lose control over their bladder.


5. Drink a lot of water. Yes, you should, contrary to the old notion that doing so will increase your chances of relieving yourself more frequently. Water is nature’s best cleanser and can remove toxic substances in the body. And don’t wait till your too thirsty before you grab a glass of water because that would really set you off to the toilet faster than you can ever imagine. Force yourself to drink a little throughout the day and you’ll notice that you’ll have less need for the bathroom.


6. Men can also have it. Yes, men can be affected too and they would rather not talk about. It’s usually due to prostate cancer, radiation therapy, surgery and medications.


7. Stay away from caffeine and alcohol. Coffee, tea, and sodas have one thing in common – they contain caffeine which is a natural diuretic. These substances can increase the passing of urine, upping your chances of getting leaks. On the other hand, alcohol and citrus juices irritate the bladder which can cause incontinence as well.


8. Kegel exercises can help. Yes, these exercises help strengthen the pelvic floor and the muscles that are responsible for controlling urine. And they work for men, too. However, there are cases when they don’t work, and in fact, may even aggravate a person’s condition. That’s why it’s still best to see your doctor.


9. Smoking affects the bladder. Aside from increasing your chances of getting fatal diseases like lung cancer, tuberculosis and the like, smoking also cause you to cough often which triggers incontinence.


10. Excess weight aggravates incontinence. Excess fat can put pressure on the bladder which is the reason why most obese people experience leaks at one time or another.


11. It needs medical attention. Yes, incontinence may not be a fatal disease, but it can seriously affect your social, sexual and even emotional life. Isn’t it too frustrating when you have to miss out on friendly gatherings because you hate to explain why you have to go to the bathroom even in mid-conversation? Wouldn’t you feel so undesirable when you got to go while making love? Doesn’t it hurt your feelings each time your siblings or your very own children make fun of your condition?


12. Surgery should be your last resort. Only consider surgery when you doctor tells you that you have a congenital defect that needs to be corrected. According to Dr. Jill Rabin, expert in Obstetrics and Gynecology, there are two inborn defects that cause urinary incontinence: ectopic ureter and Spina Bifida. Normally, the ureter connects the bladder to the kidney. In the case of an ectopic ureter, the said connection is located abnormally. On the other hand, a person with Spina Bifida relieves himself anytime even without feeling the urge to do so.

Why prolong your agony? Don’t suffer from incontinence if there are still things left to try.

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