Many medical issues can be brought up to a doctor without thinking twice, but then there are some that might give you pause because of its personal or embarrassing nature.  Bladder problems of any sort often fall into the second category, which can prevent patients from getting the care they need in a timely manner.  November is Bladder Health Awareness Month, which aims to address barriers to care like embarrassment by educating the public and encouraging individuals to speak up if they are dealing with anything abnormal.  By brining this the forefront, the campaign hopes to change how we look at bladder-related conditions and increase awareness of what treatments are available.  To this end, we offer some insights on why bladder problems occur and the role that physical therapy in Silver Spring can play in managing them.

The bladder is a muscular sac that functions similarly to a balloon, as it holds urine until it fills up and is ready to be emptied.  Under normal circumstances, when the bladder is full, the brain sends a signal that cause bladder muscles to squeeze, which forces urine out through the urethra.  But there are a number of issues that can cause the bladder to malfunction, and the result is complications with urinating that can interfere with everyday life.

Overactive bladder is a general term for a group of symptoms related to the bladder and urination.  The most common symptom is a sudden need—or urge—to urinate, which can lead to leaking urine when this urge comes on.  Another symptom is the need to pass urine more times than normal throughout the day and night, which can prove to be an incredible inconvenience.  As many as 30% of men and 40% of women in the U.S. are affected by overactive bladder symptoms, and a significant portion of these individuals do not seek out help from a medical professional.

Urinary incontinence is related to overactive bladder, but is more specifically the symptom of involuntary urine leakage.  It can be temporary—such as after consuming too many liquids—or persistent when it’s due to overactive bladder or other causes, such as pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and an enlarged prostate.  The severity of urinary incontinence can also range significantly, as some individuals will only occasionally leak urine when coughing or sneezing, while others frequently have a strong urge to urinate and may not be able to get to a bathroom in time.  Nocturia (getting up to urinate more than once during the night) and bedwetting also fall under this umbrella, as they are the consequence of the bladder not functioning normally.

Physical therapy in Silver Spring targets the pelvic floor muscles

It should be refreshing to hear that seeking out help is usually the hardest part for bladder issues, as most cases will improve from some lifestyle changes and targeted treatments.  Behavioral techniques are usually the first course of treatment recommended for these patients, and physical therapists are the best medical professionals to administer these interventions.  The primary goal of most physical therapy programs is to strengthen the pelvic floor, which is made up of muscles and other tissues that form a “sling” from the pubic bone to the tailbone.  These structures support the abdominal and pelvic organs and help to control the bladder, which is why a weak pelvic floor may be at the center of an overactive bladder or urinary incontinence.  To address these types of issues, a program of physical therapy in Silver Spring will typically consist of the following components:

• Pelvic floor exercises to strengthen these muscles
• Bladder training to train patients to delay urinating as soon as the urge strikes
• Electrical stimulation, which sends a mild electric current to nerves in the lower back or the pelvic muscles involved in urination

For bladder-related problems, the first step is the hardest.  But once you do make that move, you’ll be on your way eliminating this bothersome problem and no longer needing to constantly be on the lookout for the nearest bathroom.  If you’re interested in getting help for your bladder symptoms, we encourage you to reach out to CAM Physical Therapy and Wellness Services at 240-500-1830 to schedule an appointment at any of our four locations in Silver Spring, Hyattsville, Glenn Dale/Bowie, Laurel, or Hyattsville, MD, or click here for more information on physical therapy for bladder issues.