Adults – Bladder

Bladder problems in adults are not uncommon, affecting people of all ages and both men and women.

Bladder & Bowel UK offer specialist and product advice, support and practical help to access the right NHS service. We have a team of Specialist Nurses and Continence Product Information staff, who can be contacted on the national confidential Bladder & Bowel UK helpline.

Up to six million people in the UK are thought to experience bladder problems and urinary incontinence can affect anyone at anytime regardless of age. There are several types of urinary incontinence. The most common types can include:

Stress incontinence

Leakage of urine on exertion such as coughing, sneezing or exercising.

Urge incontinence

Leakage of urine when the sensation to pass urine is too great that there is not time to reach the toilet.

Mixed incontinence

A mix of stress and urge incontinence.

Overflow incontinence

Excess urine leakage when the bladder is not fully emptying so the bladder overfills and then leaks when too full.

Functional Incontinence

When mobility or dexterity or poor access to toilets leads to incontinence but the bladder and bowel are healthy.

People commonly self manage their bladder problems for many years, maybe never seeking or being aware about the services and professional advice that is available to them. Sometimes, assuming nothing can be done to help.

It is important to know that a lot can be done to cure, treat, improve or manage bladder problems, which are often difficult to talk about. It is not an inevitable consequence of ageing and there is a much wider choice of treatments, products and management options available to people.

There are many lifestyle factors that aid bladder problems in adults. These include:

• Losing weight
• Healthy diet and fluids including a reduction in caffeine
• Pelvic floor muscle exercises
• Reducing or stopping cigarette smoking
• Taking the time to fully empty your bladder