A wide variety of conditions can cause symptoms of incontinence, which is an involuntary release of urine. Stress incontinence is the type of incontinence that most closely correlates with exercising, because it can occur during physical activity. If you're concerned about your bladder control while exercising or in general, consult your doctor to gain a proper diagnosis and to discuss your treatment options.
Types
Urinary incontinence can be temporary or chronic. Temporary incontinence is most often caused by infections, weakened muscles, obesity, mobility problems, constipation, certain medications or endocrine disorders such as diabetes. Chronic urinary incontinence falls into one of four main categories, which include urge, overflow, functional or stress incontinence. Stress incontinence is the most common kind of incontinence and is perhaps the type that most correlates with exercising, MayoClinic.com notes.
Identification
Stress incontinence is the involuntary release or leakage of urine during physical activity, including heavy lifting or exercising, coughing, laughing or sneezing. You can also have urine leakage when you stand up or make other sudden physical movements. Stress incontinence is most common among women and typically involves a weakening of the pelvic floor, bladder and urethra muscles that control urine flow and support the bladder, explains the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Significance
If you have stress incontinence, you might experience urine leakage while exercising or lifting heavy objects like weights. The urine leakage occurs particularly when you perform an exercise or activity that puts pressure on your bladder. The neck of your bladder essentially descends too low into your pelvis, usually because of weakened muscles in your pelvic floor, explains the University of Michigan Health System. Without the muscle support, your bladder control is also weakened, causing stress incontinence when you exercise or perform other physical activities.
Risks
Menopausal and postmenopausal women -- including elderly women -- are at a higher risk for developing stress incontinence, notes MayoClinic.com. Also, you have a greater chance of stress incontinence if you're overweight or obese, or if you've had a pelvic surgery, multiple vaginal deliveries, or if forceps were used in the process of delivering a child. In some cases, your incontinence may have more than one cause, notes the University of Michigan Health System. Chronic urinary tract infections, urethritis, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis or pelvic organ prolapse may also contribute to incontinence.
Prevention/Solution
In many people with mild to moderate stress incontinence, pelvic floor exercises known as Kegel exercises can improve bladder control. Certain behavioral modifications such as consuming less fluid at certain times of the day or night and urinating more frequently at scheduled times can also help in treating stress incontinence. Weight loss and quitting smoking are common lifestyle recommendations for many people with stress incontinence. Various surgical procedures and devices may be necessary if your incontinence is more severe or complicated by physical conditions, notes the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
