Agewell Health promotion for older people in New Zealand

Continence

Bladder control problems are very common, over 160,000 adults experience urine leakage twice or more a month.

The production of urine is not under our control, but as adults we have the ability to recognise when the bladder is full, and are able to hold on until we reach the toilet.

We therefore have control over where and when we will pass urine. This control is as a result of messages being passed from our bladder to our brain and our ability to interpret these messages. With this control, we are said to be continent.

Incontinence is a symptom when one of the mechanisms which keeps us dry is not working correctly. How incontinence is experienced varies, according to the reason of what is causing it. It is therefore important to seek professional help to determine the cause and access appropriate treatment. Help can be sought from your GP, Physiotherapist or Continence Advisor.

Quick Reference Guide

Other Websites of Interest

There are two types of incontinence

• Stress incontinence – the involuntary loss of urine when pressure inside the abdomen is increased by activities such as running, lifting, sneezing and laughing
• Urge incontinence – this is the sudden and strong urge to pass urine. If a person is unable to get to the toilet in time, and experiences involuntary loss of urine, it is said that the person has ‘urge incontinence.’

70% of women with stress incontinence can become dry or improve significantly by doing pelvic floor exercises. Only a small number of women would require surgery.

Most urge incontinence can be corrected by bladder retraining, sometimes combined with medication.

Bladder Retraining

Bladder retraining is a simple and effective method to help regain normal bladder control. The purpose of this type of retraining to suppress or ignore the desire to pass urine, so that a more normal patterns is achieved without the urgency or leakage.

The results are gradual and may take up to 3 months or more.

Find out more about bladder retraining on the following websites

New Zealand Continence Association

A Continence Advisor, who is accessible through your local hospital or health agency will be able to assist you further.

PELVIC FLOOR EXERCISES

The pelvic floor is a funnel shaped group of muscles stretching from the pubic bone in the front to the tail bone. These firm supportive muscles form the floor of the pelvic cavity and so are called the pelvic floor. They provide support for the bladder, uterus and bowel and to close the bladder outlet and back passage. Pelvic floor muscle activity can be likened to the action of a trampoline in that while it is released during bowel and bladder emptying, it ‘springs back’ on completion.

Exercises can help strengthen these muscles. This may improve your bladder control and improve or stop leakage or urine.

Further information on pelvic floor exercises is available at the website of the

New Zealand Continence Association   Their Frequently Asked Questions Page is excellent and gives a variety of situations/scenarios that people may be experiencing.  It also give you a form at the bottom that you can fill out if you have a particular question/problem you would like help with.

Other Websites of Interest

• Everybody is a website with information on a variety of health topics.  Their page on bowel control problems is informative and helpful offering suggestions and links to other sources of help. 
• Griffiths Urodynamics and Pro-Continence Continence Consulting is a website discussing a variety of issues, mainly from a medical approach, to do with continence.  
• National Association for Continence is an American site discussing this topic.  Their frequently asked questions page may be of interest also.  This is found under Bladder and Bowel Health at the top of the page.
• The Canadian Continence Foundation also offers practical advice, information and assistance.  Click on the Information About Incontinence at the top left hand corner for further discussion on the topic.  Please note  you will need to choose your language before entering the site.

Quick Reference Guide

Please Note  Age Concern North Shore has tried to ensure that all information on this website is correct.   However, Age Concern North Shore does not accept liability for any statements or advice contained on, or omissions from, nor endorse any suggested site on this website.  Other websites referred to on this website are here for reference only. The information on this website should not be regarded as a substitute for professional advice and we do suggest that you consult with your health, legal or financial professional.       

©Age Concern North Shore 2001-2007.    E-Mail us dianem@acns.co.nz about the website.

Website last updated 30/06/2010