What is Urge Incontinence (Sudden Urge to Urinate)? Treatment and Causes
Do you sometimes get the sudden urge to urinateand can’t hold it in? Or perhaps you have the urge to pee, but little urine comes out? You could be dealing with urge incontinence.
Urge is a specific type of incontinence and is thefeeling of either a constant or urgent need to urinate, resulting in being unable to control your bladder.
We spoke to Professor John. S. Young, Professor of Translational Healthcare at Teeside University,to learn more about the causes of urgency and and what you can do to manage and treat it.
What is Urge Incontinence? Insights from Professor John S. Young
According to Professor Young, it’s normal to have a strong desire to pass urine when our bladder is full, however the experience of urge incontinence is different. Urge comes without warning, can’t be ignored and it often leads to urine leakage (incontinence).
In some cases, urge incontinence is due to a condition called ‘overactive bladder’ . This condition is defined by a combination of symptoms, including:
Increased frequency of voiding during the day and night
Urinary urgency (which can occur with or without incontinence – in the absence of an infection or a metabolic condition, such as diabetes).
Research indicates that the underlying cause is a change in how our body detects bladder fullness. In , this sensation is heightened, meaning that we sense our bladder is full, when it actually contains very little urine.
Feeling the sudden urge to urinatecan be an alarming experience for anyone. Sometimes, this urgent need to urinate maynot give you enough time to find a toilet, leading to involuntary leakage, which can be a distressing experience if you are out in public and can’t reach a toilet easily. However, there are certain triggers of urge incontinence that you may be able to manage, and steps you can take to create reassurance and comfort.
How to Manage Sudden Urges to Urinate
Understanding the triggers of urge can be crucial in managing symptoms. Common triggers include:
High fluid intake, which increases urine production
Certain beverages like alcohol, caffeine, and energy drinks, which can irritate the bladder.
Medical conditions such as urinary tract infections, bowel issues like constipation, and specific medications may exacerbate symptoms.
By recognising and managing these triggers, you can better control sudden urges and reduce the likelihood of involuntary urine leakage.
Hydration and Urge Incontinence: Are You Drinking too Much or too Little?
Considering the amount of fluids you’re drinking on a daily basis, as well as the type of beverage is important when managing urge .
A low fluid intake can also trigger feelings of urgency though. Avoiding drinking fluids will lead to concentrated urine which can build up in your bladder causing irritation and consequently increase urinary frequency. Dehydration is also a risk factor for constipation which could well lead to a urinary infection.
It is recommended that you drink six to eight cups of fluids every day which can include water, lower-fat milks as well as lower-sugar drinks.*
This does vary from person to person though – the number can depend on what you eat (as foods contains water), if you exercise, or if there’s hot weather (as you sweat a lot more and will require more drink).
You should always be having a look at your urine colour – ideally, it should be pale yellow.The darker it is, the more concentrated it will be and the more dehydrated you are.
Other Urge Incontinence Causes
It may be that you need to up your water intake, but there are other drinks which should be avoided as much as possible – alcohol, energy drinks, caffeine and even tea can worsen urge incontinence. Therefore, it would be a good idea to limit these drinks as much as possible from your diet.
Of course, there are other triggers. These can include conditions which affect your urethra such as a urinary tract infection (UTI). In addition to this, constipation can cause urge incontinence as an inability to empty the bowel properly puts pressure on your bladder, while some medications can have a side effect which triggers involuntary leakage.
Bladder stones can cause an obstruction leading to urge as can an enlarged prostate for men.
There are causes that are unique to women as well – thinning of the lining of the urethra (which can be a symptom of menopause)can trigger burning and irritation, while gynaecological conditions such as prolapse or an ovarian tumor can also lead to . You can learn more in our dedicated article.
Urge Incontinence in Men
Aside from the major causes we’ve mentioned above, an enlarged (also known as Benign Prostate Enlargement or BPH), is common in older men and can obstruct the flow of urine, leading to urgency and leakage.
Diagnosing Urge Incontinence
There are several potential causes of urge incontinence.
As with any bladder related health issue, we always recommend going to visit a doctor so they can check if your urge incontinence is a sign of an underlying health condition,and recommend a suitable diagnosis and treatment plan.
The doctor mayask some questions when you begin your treatment of urge , such as the timing and situations in which it occurs. They may ask you to complete a bladder diary, which records the volumes and timings of fluids that you consume, as well as the types of beverages you drink.
The doctor will want to rule out several potential causes for your symptoms, so will likely carry out a series of tests including:
Using these methods as guided by your doctor can help to significantly reduce or even eliminate urge incontinence, and potentially other types of incontinence also. There are other options available to help support your recovery also however.
If you’re struggling to manage sudden urges to pee, TENA incontinence products are a great way to provide reassurance and support while undergoing diagnosis and treatment. We have a range of incontinence pads, pants and washable reusable underwear designed for both men and women that can help you lock in leaks and keep living confidently while you regain control. You can also try our product selector tool for support in getting a product that is perfect for your needs, whether its maximum comfort or maximum protection.
Our products are designed for both comfort and protection, meaning that you can continue to use them alongside or after treatment for urge incontinence to provide complete peace of mind, allowing you to focus on getting the most out of life.
You can also learn even more about urge incontinence on the following pages.
