Incontinence occurs more often in women than in men, this is due to an increased weakening of the pelvic floor muscles which surround the bladder and can lead to stress incontinence. The causes of this can be due to the menopause or childbirth.

Stress or mild incontinence typically occurs when the sphincter muscles which restrict the flow of urine are weakened, allowing urine to escape when a cough or other sudden muscular pressure occurs. Other causes may include a damaged sphincter muscle, weakened bladder muscle, supports or medications.

Urge incontinence may be caused by cystitis (which is a urinary infection) or an unstable or overactive bladder, this can be sometimes be related to nerve problems such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, dementia or a spinal cord injury.


Mixed incontinence is a combination of stress incontinence and urge incontinence.


What you can do to help urinary incontinence:

• Exercise regularly - try walking instead of using the car
• Eat plenty of vegetables, fruit and cereals to avoid constipation
• Drink at least six to eight glasses of liquid per day
• If you experience urgency to rush to the toilet cut down on caffeine and drink more water
• If you suffer from nocturia (having to get up more than once during the night to pass urine) it is advisable not drink any liquids 3 hours before going to bed.
• Avoid strenuous exertion in general as this will put pressure on the bladder
• Avoid alcohol as this stimulates the kidneys to produce more urine
• Tell your family about it so that embarrassment is not a problem
  
  
  Click here to read about the CLEO's Computerised Pelvic Floor Exerciser