Frequently Asked Questions
Bladder Problems
How can I tell if I have a bladder control
problem?
Is having a bladder control problem rare?
Don't bladder control problems mainly affect older people?
Aren't the symptoms of bladder control problems just a normal
part of ageing?
Why are bladder control problems more common among women than
men?
Does going through childbirth always result in bladder control
loss?
I use the bathroom frequently because I drink a lot of water
every day. Does this also mean I have a bladder control problem?
Bladder Treatment Treatment
Is treatment available?
Aren't pads the easiest solution?
Can my diet affect my bladder control?
Can pelvic exercises help?
Can bladder retraining help?
Can drug treatments help?
Will I need surgery?
Support of Bladder
Problems
I talked to my doctor about my symptoms,
but he didn't seem concerned. What should I do?
I think my Mum has a bladder control problem. How can I talk
to her about it?
Bladder Problems
How can I tell if I have a bladder control problem?
Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing
the signs of a
bladder control problem. Most of these conditions are treatable.
Find out more about whether you may have a condition by reading
the About
Bladder Problems section and completing the Symptom
Questionnaire. If you answer yes to any of the questions, go
to your doctor, who can determine if you have a bladder control
problem and recommend treatment as appropriate.
Is having a bladder control problem rare?
Bladder problems are actually widespread disorders, but they
are not well known because many people are too embarrassed
to discuss their symptoms or they do not report their symptoms
because they think they are a normal part of getting older.
It is estimated that approximately 492,000 people over age
40 in Ireland experience suffer from a bladder control problem.
Don't bladder control problems mainly affect older people?
Bladder control problems affect men and women of all ages.
In fact, most people with such conditions are under age 65.
However, some age-related changes such as the loss of oestrogen
in post-menopausal women and enlargement of the prostate
in men, may contribute to urinary leakage.
Aren't the symptoms of bladder control problems just a normal
part of ageing?
Although overactive bladder is the leading cause of incontinence
in the elderly, its symptoms - frequency, nocturia, urgency,
and urge incontinence - are not normal at any age. Bladder
control problems are medical conditions that can be treated
regardless of the cause.
Why are bladder control problems more common among women than
men?
A woman's urinary system is different to a man's in many ways
and much more vulnerable to the type of problems (infections,
muscle stretching and damage, complications in child birth,
etc.) that can lead to bladder control loss.
Does going through childbirth always result in bladder control
loss?
Definitely not. The vast majority of women who have babies
do not have bladder control loss and of those who do, most
have a slight and temporary problem just before or just after
childbirth.
I use the bathroom frequently because I drink a lot of water
every day. Does this also mean I have a bladder control problem?
It's true that having a higher-than-normal liquid intake (more
than eight 6-8 ounce cups per day) could cause you to urinate
frequently. However, the other major symptoms of bladder control
problems, such as an urgent need to urinate and wetting accidents
are not normal even if you drink a lot of water. If you have
these bladder problems, you may want to discuss your symptoms
with your doctor.
Treatment
Is
treatment available?
Bladder control problems are treatable medical conditions,
and there are a number of treatment choices. Drug
treatment has been used to control the symptoms of bladder control problems
in millions of patients. Surgery may also be used if the drugs
are unhelpful or not well tolerated. Surgery is generally used
only as a last resort for patients with severe symptoms that
have not responded to other forms of therapy.
In addition to these treatments, patients can try to change
habits that may contribute to or worsen their symptoms; this
might include making dietary changes or undertaking
a bladder-training program. Patients have achieved good results from treatment
that combines bladder training with medication. For more information
on these approaches, see Treatment.
Aren't pads the easiest solution?
Pads are expensive and often bulky. Many people who use pads
are concerned that they may be noticeable or have a detectable
odour. Wearing pads is an attempt to cover up a bladder control
symptom, and it doesn't address the underlying condition.
You may not be aware that most bladder control problems are
treatable. Talking to a doctor about your symptoms may lead
to a better solution.
Can my diet affect my bladder control?
Yes, watching what you eat and drink can help. Be sure to drink
plenty of fluids. Avoid beverages that can cause excessive
urine production such as caffeine and alcohol. Also avoid
acidic juices like grapefruit juice and tomato juice that
can irritate the bladder. Constipation can also contribute
to bladder control problems. Eat foods that are high in fibre
to help you stay regular.
Can pelvic exercises help?
Your doctor may recommend that you practice pelvic
floor exercises to help strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor.
Can bladder retraining help?
Bladder retraining can be effective in helping people successfully
increase the amount of time between trips to the bathroom.
If your doctor suggests bladder retraining, a Bladder
Diary will be important in developing a successful program for
you.
Can drug treatments help?
In some cases, your doctor may prescribe medication either
alone, or in combination with behavioural treatment to help
restore bladder control. Be aware that some medications may
actually contribute to your bladder control problems. For
this reason, be sure your doctor knows about all prescription
and over-the counter drugs you're taking.
Will I need surgery?
Although surgery is one of several available treatment options,
it is usually reserved for suitable candidates who are unable
to take advantage of the many non-surgical alternatives.
Your health care professional can assist you in determining
the best treatment for you.
Support
I
talked to my doctor about my symptoms, but he didn't seem concerned.
What should I do?
Although you talked to your doctor, he or she may still be
unaware of the extent of your symptoms. It might be helpful
to complete the Symptom
Questionnaire and the Bladder
Diary,
which provides a record of how much you drink, how often you
go to the bathroom, and the amount of urine released each time,
as well as any accidental leaks. Be sure to let your doctor
know how your symptoms affect your life, and ask for treatment.
Also, be sure to make an appointment specifically to discuss
treating your bladder control symptoms, rather than bringing
them up when you are in the office for another reason. Having
a separate appointment will give your doctor time to make a
diagnosis, and if needed, to explain your treatment options.
If your doctor still seems unconcerned, you may want to consider
seeking a second opinion from another doctor.
I think my Mum has a bladder control problem. How can I talk
to her about it?
Helping a family member with any bladder control problem can
be a challenge, since many people with bladder symptoms feel
ashamed and embarrassed. You might want to explain that the
problem is treatable regardless of the cause, and that it is
not a "natural" result of aging. You could also tell
your Mum that doctors are used to hearing about these symptoms,
because bladder control problems are common conditions that
affect almost half a million Irish people over age 40 and more
than 50 million worldwide. Encourage your Mum to seek treatment.
For more advice on talking about these issues, see Giving
Help.
