World Continence Week | A Tinkle, Sprinkle or a Flood? Incontinence should be discussed.

This week marks World Continence week, with the support of charities and organisations around the world, this week is run by the World Federation of incontinence and pelvic problems, together they are continuing their commitment to promoting access to care and support. They aim to break the stigma attached to bladder or bowel health issues for individuals and health professionals. With this in mind we wanted to discuss the topic further.

^{Who does bladder weakness affect?}

Bladder weakness affects one in three women and one in ten men, making it more common than hay fever, however the topic still remains taboo and not spoken of openly.

In the UK, around 14 million people suffer with some form of bladder condition, a concern for many individuals who often suffer in silence. The condition can affect men, women, young people and children of all ages.

Breaking the silence is important as a step towards normalising the conditions for millions of people and removing the stigma that living with it is something that should be hidden and not discussed.

It is thought that one in eight of us are living with an overactive bladder, this is around 8.5 million people. 61% of men experience lower urinary tract symptoms, and 34% of women are living with urinary incontinence.

What causes bladder incontinence?

There are a number of causes for urinary incontinence. In men prostate surgery is one of the most common causes. It can also be caused by the urethra being constricted or blocked by the prostate.

In women, pregnancy and the hormonal changes prior to menopause weaken the pelvic floor muscles which can lead to bladder weakness.

Based on the different functional disorders, urinary incontinence is classified into different types, most commonly; stress incontinence, urge incontinence (often referred to as an overactive bladder), and overflow incontinence (chronic urinary retention).

Despite the type of incontinence those affected can only be helped fully if the cause is known. If you are experiencing difficulties with your bladder or bowel health, don’t stay silent, visit your GP who can advise you and help to find the best treatment options for you.

So, whether you leak when you laugh, or are constantly on the loo – don’t be scared, you are not alone!

Check out the Uroligy foundation website for more information on World Continence Week here.

If you need care assistance from Moonrise24, please contact us today to see how we can help to support you, click here to contact us.