The American Academy of Family Physicians estimates that millions of adults, primarily women aged 50 and older, suffer from urinary incontinence. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, 5.5 million Americans suffer from fecal incontinence. There are many treatments for this problem, and home exercises are the starting point of treatment.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control ranging from slight leaks to complete, uncontrollable urination. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse recommends performing Kegel exercises to improve symptoms of incontinence. Kegel exercises involve flexing and relaxing your pelvic floor muscles. In order to identify those muscles, attempt to stop and start the flow when urinating. Even if you are only able to reduce the flow, the muscles you feel tightening are your pelvic floor muscles. Start by either sitting or lying down, and be certain that your bladder is empty. Tighten your pelvic floor muscles and hold the contraction as you count to 10. If you can't hold the muscles for a count of 10, attempt to hold them as you count to five. Do this 10 times and repeat three times during the day.
Kegels
In 1991, the "British Journal of General Practice" published a study regarding the efficacy of Kegel exercises. A treatment group was taught Kegel exercises and the control group made no changes. Results showed that 60 percent of the treatment group had mild or no incontinence after three months, with 85 percent of the subjects feeling that their symptoms had improved. The successful results were repeated after the control group was instructed to perform Kegel exercises.
Fecal Incontinence
Fecal incontinence is a lack of control over bowel movements. Similar to urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence may involve occasional slight loss, or a complete lack of bowel control. Kegel exercises can also be beneficial in reducing symptoms of fecal incontinence. In addition, electronic biofeedback in a doctor's office can measure the strength of your sphincter muscle and determine if the exercises are helping.
Expert Insight
The "Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics" journal published a review of studies in 2001, analyzing biofeedback and pelvic floor exercises for the treatment of fecal incontinence. The overall findings were that both treatments did help a majority of patients; however, the methodology of some studies and lack of validation did not provide conclusive results. For the best treatment and results, consult your doctor.
References
- MedlinePlus: Kegel Exercises, self-care
- "British Journal of General Practice"; Controlled trial of pelvic floor exercises in the treatment of urinary stress incontinence in general practice; Lagro-Janssen, et al.; November 1991
- "Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics"; Anal sphincter biofeedback and pelvic floor exercises for faecal incontinence in adults---a systematic review; Norton, Kamm; December 2001
- Family Doctor: Urinary Incontinence
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Fecal Incontinence
