Incontinence is defined as the involuntary leakage of urine from the bladder. Incontinence is not a disease. It is a symptom of other problems, such as weakened pelvic muscles, neurological disease, injury, impaired mobility, urinary tract infections, constipation and dehydration or as a side effect of medicines. 

 

Incontinence can affect both men and women in any age group but is more common in women and the elderly.

 

Incontinence is not a disease, but is symptomatic of an underlying medical concern. By treating that concern, incontinence can be conquered. Incontinence is treatable and often curable at all ages. If urinary incontinence is caused by a medical problem, the incontinence will go away when the problem is treated.

 

There are different types of incontinence:

Stress incontinence is the sudden involuntary loss of urine typically caused by sneezing, coughing, laughing, jumping or any form of physical exertion. 

Urge incontinence occurs when the urge to urinate is very strong and you cannot reach the toilet in time because the bladder contracts abnormally during filling. 

Mixed incontinence is caused by symptoms of both stress and urge urinary incontinence.

 

Incontinence curtails a person's independence, causing embarrassment, isolation and often institutionalization of the elderly. About half the nursing home residents are either bowel or bladder incontinent or both. Incontinence, however, is not normal for any age group. It is a symptom of an underlying disorder that is treatable and even curable through the use of diet, exercise, medication, physical therapy or as a last resort, surgery. 

 

Most don't know that physical therapy can easily help one to develop the strength necessary to regain control of the bladder.

 

Reasons to ask your Physical Therapist about Incontinence:

 

  - Do you feel as if you can never fully empty your bladder?

  - Do you use the bathroom more than 8 times per day?

  - Do you leak when you cough or sneeze?

  - Do you leak before you are even aware of the need to go?

  - Do you spend a long time on the toilet only to produce a small amount or drips of urine?

  - Do you have frequent bladder infections?

 

If you have answered yes to any of these questions you should ask your Physical Therapist what you can do to take back control of your bladder. 

 

The path of recovery begins with making your first appointment for a physical therapy consultation at Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center.

 

Physical therapy is the identification and treatment of faulty movements, impaired flexibility and weakened or tight muscles that cause discomfort or pain and affect your daily life in a negative way.

 

At Friendship Heights, we have helped our patients to achieve excellent results in muscle re-strenghthening through physical therapy programs designed specifically to meet their own needs and help them return to their normal functions.

 

Therese Rodda is the owner and a physical therapist at Friendship Heights Rehabilitation center. She spends, on average, 30 minutes with each patient, one to three times a week for several weeks.  Her training in health through exercise, includes an emphasis on raising awareness of the body so that each individual will be better equipped to continue the journey to full natural pain relief and optimum health. 

 

Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center can help you control your bladder and reduce the "got to go" moments

If you have any questions, please contact Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center.

Therese Rodda, P.T.
Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center
5530 Wisconsin Avenue
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Ph: 301-656-6977  F: 301-656-6977

10801 Lockwood Drive, Suite 280
Silver Spring, MD 20901
Ph: 301-576-6474

Links:
http://fhrehab.com/index.html - Friendship Heights Rehabilitation Center - Maryland Physical Therapy
http://fhrehab.com/ptServices.html - Physical Therapy Programs
http://media.fhrehab.com/tips_index.php - Friendship Heights Health Tips