IS IT NORMAL? AM I NORMAL??
Have you ever asked yourself, “is it normal to pee when I run, jump, lift, cough, sneeze, etc.?” So often we have things like this happen (especially after having a baby), and it can seem “normal,” even when discussing it with others, but common doesn’t equal normal. Maybe you’re someone that is unable to “hold it” and once you get the sensation to pee, you have to run to the bathroom in a fury so that you don’t leak? What about having to go “right now” when you pull into the driveway, unlock the door to the house, or hear running water? Or, do you go “just in case?”
We’ve all seen the commercials for the undergarments to “keep you dry” in the event of leakage. Wouldn’t it be lovely if we could correct the issue without having to use products such as these? Oh, and let’s not fool ourselves, this isn’t just a women’s issue, men deal with this too!
The symptoms mentioned above are considered stress incontinence and urge incontinence, and are signs of pelvic floor dysfunction. These symptoms are common, but NOT normal! They do not discriminate; they affect all ages, races, and genders. This can be a very personal issue that can be embarrassing for most people, but know that you are not alone! This is a topic that I address frequently with my patients. As discussed in my blog “What Pelvic Health Therapy Really Looks Like,” incontinence is an important issue that stems from pelvic floor dysfunction, and is especially common following childbirth and also occurs as we age. The real question is, what can be done about it?
Here are my top 3 suggestions on where to start:
- RELAX….. take some nice deep breaths.
- STOP KEGELING! If you have been trying to correct the issue with kegels, please stop! In some cases, this can make the problem worse.
- Give us a call at 402-483-0006 or via email at office@completeptlincoln.com to be evaluated by a Physical Therapist that specializes in Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.
Within Pelvic Floor PT, we will address muscle strength, muscle tonicity and muscle coordination, along with some behavior modification strategies to improve urinary incontinence.