Incontinence and Prolapse - Physiotherapy Advice

What is incontinence and how can physio help?

Incontinence means having trouble holding pee or poop. It can be hard for some people to wait until they get to the toilet.

Physio, which is a type of exercise therapy, can help. Physio teaches your body muscles to get stronger and work better. This can make it easier to hold pee or poop.

Here are some helpful tools and tips:

• Try to go to the bathroom at regular times.
• Practice exercises that help your belly and bottom muscles. A physio can show you how.
• Stay calm and don’t worry too much if you have an accident.

What makes pelvic organs drop down?

Can men have trouble holding pee?

How well does pelvic floor muscle training work?

How long before physiotherapy helps with incontinence?

Physiotherapy can help with bladder control (this is called incontinence). But it takes time to work. For some people, it might help in a few weeks. For others, it can take a few months. Everyone is different.

If you are having trouble reading this, you can:

• Ask someone to help you.
• Use a ruler or a piece of paper to follow along.
• Try reading one sentence at a time.
• Practice a little bit each day to get better.

Can I do exercises to make my pelvic floor muscles stronger?

Yes, you can do exercises to help make your pelvic floor muscles stronger. Here are some tips:

• Try squeezing your muscles like you are trying to stop peeing. Hold for a few seconds, then let go. Do this several times a day.
• Sit or lie down when you do the exercises, so you're comfortable.
• Use reminder notes or alarms to help you remember to do the exercises every day.
• Ask a doctor or therapist for help if you're not sure how to do the exercises.

These exercises can help your muscles get strong and healthy. If you need more help, talk to a doctor or therapist.

Is surgery the only way to fix severe prolapse?

Severe prolapse is when an organ inside the body moves out of place. It can cause problems.

Sometimes, doctors think surgery is the best way to help. But, it is not the only choice.

You can try other things first.

• Exercise: Simple exercises like squeezing muscles can help make them stronger. This is called pelvic floor exercises or Kegels.
• Support Devices: There are special devices called pessaries. They go inside the body to help hold things up.
• Talking to a Doctor: It's important to talk to doctors and ask them what is the best choice for you.

Remember, everyone is different. What works for one person might not work for someone else.

Does the NHS in the UK pay for physiotherapy visits?

"Physiotherapy" means exercises or treatments to help your body move better. The NHS is the UK health service. It helps people when they are sick.

Here is an easier way to understand:

• Some physiotherapy visits might be free with the NHS.
• It depends on your needs and where you live.
• You might need to ask your doctor for a referral to see a physiotherapist.

Here are some tips to help you:

• Ask your doctor if you can get physiotherapy from the NHS.
• Use a planner or calendar to remember your appointments.
• A friend or family member can help you understand what the doctor says.

What can you do to help with bladder problems?

Here are some simple ideas to help if you have trouble controlling your bladder:

• Drink the right amount of water. Not too much or too little.
• Avoid drinks like coffee or soda. They might make you need to go more.
• Eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.
• Do exercises called "pelvic floor exercises." They can make the muscles that control your bladder stronger.

You can also:

• Try to go to the bathroom at the same times each day.
• Keep a diary of when you go, to see patterns.
• Talk to a doctor or nurse. They can give you more tips.

There are special apps and reminder alarms that can help you remember when to go to the bathroom too!

How can I stop a prolapse from happening?

Can bladder problems get better on their own?

What is a pelvic floor physiotherapist?

A pelvic floor physiotherapist is a helper for your body. They know a lot about your muscles. These muscles help you with going to the bathroom and having a baby.

They teach you exercises to make these muscles strong. If you have pain or problems, they can help you feel better.

Some tools you can use to help are simple pictures or videos. They show you how the exercises work. You can also ask them questions if you need help.

What will happen in a physiotherapy session for bladder and bowel problems?

Here's what you can expect in a physiotherapy session:

• Meet Your Therapist: You will talk with a physiotherapist. This person helps with body exercises.
• Talk About Your Problems: You will tell the therapist about your bladder and bowel problems. This helps them understand how to help you.
• Simple Exercises: The therapist will show you easy exercises to make your muscles strong. This can help stop leaks.
• Ask Questions: It’s important to ask questions if you don’t understand something. The therapist is there to help you.

These tools might help you:

• Pictures and Diagrams: These can show you how to do exercises.
• Reminder Notes: Write down what you learn to remember later.
• Practice at Home: Do the exercises at home to get better.

Can what you eat change how often you need the bathroom?

Should you use incontinence pads when doing exercises to get better?

What is incontinence and how can physio help?

Incontinence means having trouble holding pee or poop. It can be hard for some people to wait until they get to the toilet.

Physio, which is a type of exercise therapy, can help. Physio teaches your body muscles to get stronger and work better. This can make it easier to hold pee or poop.

Here are some helpful tools and tips:

• Try to go to the bathroom at regular times.
• Practice exercises that help your belly and bottom muscles. A physio can show you how.
• Stay calm and don’t worry too much if you have an accident.

What makes pelvic organs drop down?

Can men have trouble holding pee?

How well does pelvic floor muscle training work?

How long before physiotherapy helps with incontinence?

Physiotherapy can help with bladder control (this is called incontinence). But it takes time to work. For some people, it might help in a few weeks. For others, it can take a few months. Everyone is different.

If you are having trouble reading this, you can:

• Ask someone to help you.
• Use a ruler or a piece of paper to follow along.
• Try reading one sentence at a time.
• Practice a little bit each day to get better.

Can I do exercises to make my pelvic floor muscles stronger?

Yes, you can do exercises to help make your pelvic floor muscles stronger. Here are some tips:

• Try squeezing your muscles like you are trying to stop peeing. Hold for a few seconds, then let go. Do this several times a day.
• Sit or lie down when you do the exercises, so you're comfortable.
• Use reminder notes or alarms to help you remember to do the exercises every day.
• Ask a doctor or therapist for help if you're not sure how to do the exercises.

These exercises can help your muscles get strong and healthy. If you need more help, talk to a doctor or therapist.

Is surgery the only way to fix severe prolapse?

Severe prolapse is when an organ inside the body moves out of place. It can cause problems.

Sometimes, doctors think surgery is the best way to help. But, it is not the only choice.

You can try other things first.

• Exercise: Simple exercises like squeezing muscles can help make them stronger. This is called pelvic floor exercises or Kegels.
• Support Devices: There are special devices called pessaries. They go inside the body to help hold things up.
• Talking to a Doctor: It's important to talk to doctors and ask them what is the best choice for you.

Remember, everyone is different. What works for one person might not work for someone else.

Does the NHS in the UK pay for physiotherapy visits?

"Physiotherapy" means exercises or treatments to help your body move better. The NHS is the UK health service. It helps people when they are sick.

Here is an easier way to understand:

• Some physiotherapy visits might be free with the NHS.
• It depends on your needs and where you live.
• You might need to ask your doctor for a referral to see a physiotherapist.

Here are some tips to help you:

• Ask your doctor if you can get physiotherapy from the NHS.
• Use a planner or calendar to remember your appointments.
• A friend or family member can help you understand what the doctor says.

What can you do to help with bladder problems?

Here are some simple ideas to help if you have trouble controlling your bladder:

• Drink the right amount of water. Not too much or too little.
• Avoid drinks like coffee or soda. They might make you need to go more.
• Eat healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.
• Do exercises called "pelvic floor exercises." They can make the muscles that control your bladder stronger.

You can also:

• Try to go to the bathroom at the same times each day.
• Keep a diary of when you go, to see patterns.
• Talk to a doctor or nurse. They can give you more tips.

There are special apps and reminder alarms that can help you remember when to go to the bathroom too!

How can I stop a prolapse from happening?

Can bladder problems get better on their own?

What is a pelvic floor physiotherapist?

A pelvic floor physiotherapist is a helper for your body. They know a lot about your muscles. These muscles help you with going to the bathroom and having a baby.

They teach you exercises to make these muscles strong. If you have pain or problems, they can help you feel better.

Some tools you can use to help are simple pictures or videos. They show you how the exercises work. You can also ask them questions if you need help.

What will happen in a physiotherapy session for bladder and bowel problems?

Here's what you can expect in a physiotherapy session:

• Meet Your Therapist: You will talk with a physiotherapist. This person helps with body exercises.
• Talk About Your Problems: You will tell the therapist about your bladder and bowel problems. This helps them understand how to help you.
• Simple Exercises: The therapist will show you easy exercises to make your muscles strong. This can help stop leaks.
• Ask Questions: It’s important to ask questions if you don’t understand something. The therapist is there to help you.

These tools might help you:

• Pictures and Diagrams: These can show you how to do exercises.
• Reminder Notes: Write down what you learn to remember later.
• Practice at Home: Do the exercises at home to get better.

Can what you eat change how often you need the bathroom?

Should you use incontinence pads when doing exercises to get better?