Enlisting physical therapy to treat incontinence
Before even beginning to think about physical therapy, a patient should see a doctor, because incontinence can stem from a urinary tract or other infection, certain medications, or neurological problems linked to diseases such as Parkinson's and diabetes.
Whatever the cause, the condition is common
- Approximately one person in ten over the age of 65 has experienced urinary incontinence.
- Women are more likely than men to have it.
- In most cases, urinary incontinence is treatable, and a physical therapist can go far in helping a patient regain bladder control.
- If the doctor recommends therapy, a physical therapist will put together a plan that includes a specific exercise routine for the pelvic floor muscles, a schedule for going to the bathroom, and recommendations for changes in diet.
How does a physical therapist figure out how to treat incontinence?
- Typically, the physical therapist will ask a patient to keep a log, or what's called a "bladder diary." For about a week, the patient should write down how often she went to the toilet, whether she had an accident, and what triggered it. For example, one frustrating and common form of incontinence among women is stress incontinence, in which a sneeze, a cough, or laughing can cause urine leakage.
- Also common in women is urge incontinence. "Patients get a sudden, severe urge to get to the toilet, and the bladder begins contracting and losing urine on the way," explains Kendra Harrington, a physical therapist at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
- Older women can have a combination of stress and urge incontinence.
It all sounds very helpful, but now my 94 year old Mother-in-law has dementia. I don't know if she can learn these exercises
everytime i do a test to see if i have a uti.. its neg.. had a bladder ultra sound .. normal. but i always feel like i have a uti
Hello anonymous, Thank you very much for your comment. I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Unfortunately, we are unable to diagnose medical problems for our site members, or provide medical guidance online. While members of our community may respond to your question, we recommend that you contact a doctor offline regarding this medical issue. Take care -- Emily | Community Manager
I went through months of physical therapy and biofeedback with incredible success. I became pad free; however, even though I did not stop the exercises and I liimited tea, cola, or coffee drinks to one a day, I, for no discernible reason, lost control again. Even though I am continuing the exercises, I am back on the maximum control pads. What has happened?
Hi CABIN CREEK GIRL, Thank you very much for your question. I'm very sorry to hear about your current situation. Unfortunately, we are unable to diagnose medical problems for our site members, or provide medical guidance online. While members of our community may respond to your question, we recommend that you contact a doctor offline regarding this medical issue. Take care -- Emily | Community Manager
I had a cystoscopy several weeks ago due to a UTI,after the procedure the doc put me on a antibody called microbid 50mg once a day for 2 months,BUT after thte procudure I started having dizzy spells,just like I had a small stroke, not myself.Why I was never like that before,Now I can't function because of the dizzy spells. What can I do, did the Dr. do something wrong.
Kegels are exercises you can do to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles – the muscles that support your urethra, bladder, uterus, and rectum. The exercises are named after Arnold Kegel, a gynecologist who recommended them back in the 1940s to help women with urinary incontinence, or diminished bladder control, which can happen after childbirth. http://www.healthywomenguide.com/kegel-exercises.html
wow Very helpful!!
I am a women's health physical therapist and I would like to stress the importance of strengthening the pelvic floor muscles for both women and men. Physical therapy is an option with no side effect. With a women's health physical therapist you will not only learn how to perform a Kegel contraction correctly, but you will be taught about optimal posture to hold that gives your pelvic floor the most support, and the other muscles you must strengthen around your abdomen and pelvis to assist your pelvic floor. All three of these key components are important for complete resolution of your symptoms! If physical therapy is not an option because of insurance coverage or time constraints, you can find a physical therapy at home program.
I didn't know that there was physical therapy for this. What excersises should a man do?
I'd not heard of biofeedback to help learn what muscles to use.