Incontinence is a common condition; that can be cured in many cases - Allison Rudd, Continence Nurse Specialist

I’m going to talk to you about a subject that some people may find embarrassing, yet lots of people suffer in silence with. I'm talking about incontinence issues.  

Incontinence is a common condition; that can be cured in many cases and significantly improved in most others. However, continence problems continue to be underreported and undertreated and the challenge remains to increase awareness and promotion of continence and to increase understanding of continence problems. 

Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust’s (LCHS) Bladder and Bowel Team provide care and support throughout the county to adults experiencing problems with bladder or bowel control.  

The service focuses on improving the patient's health by assessing their condition, producing an individual care plan, putting appropriate treatment in place, and advising and supporting other professionals who look after patients.   

For example, we recently treated a woman in her 40s who was struggling with urinary incontinence during activities – like running and bouncing on a trampoline. She was assessed by the team and helped with a care plan, which included pelvic floor exercises and bladder training. The woman now reports her issues are improved and she can play with her children without the fear of urine leaks.  

Common causes of incontinence we come across are pelvic floor weakness following childbirth, menopause and prostate surgery. 

Most incontinence problems can be cured or improved by adjusting lifestyle factors - such as reducing your caffeine intake, increasing your fluid intake, retraining your bladder, doing pelvic floor exercises to strengthen key muscles, improving weight management to reduce the pressure on your bladder and improving your diet. 

For example, pelvic floor exercises can help by strengthening the pelvic floor muscles which can become weak. These muscles support pelvic floor organs, the bladder and womb and the control of the passage of urine.  

The bladder is a muscle that acts as a reservoir, collecting urine until it is full. When it feels full the bladder sends a signal to the brain. The brain tells the bladder to hold on until it is convenient to go. When you decide to go to the toilet, your bladder muscle contracts and your bladder empties. Retraining your bladder works on the link between your bladder and brain and helps to regain control of the feeling of urgency in needing to go to the toilet. 

I hope this has given you a brief insight into incontinence, especially if you are struggling with this type of issue.  

Patients can self-refer to the LCHS Bladder and Bowel Team by calling 0300 1234868 or emailing lhnt.lchsreferrals@nhs.net. 

To read more on urinary incontinence please see the NHS website here and for bowel incontinence details and treatments please see the NHS website here.