Urinary incontinence is a relatively common ailment that affects both women and men. Women are more likely to experience urinary incontinence, with some studies finding that about half of women over the age of 50 experience it regularly.
Clearly, this is an important concern, and yet many people feel embarrassed to discuss it with their healthcare provider.
Urinary incontinence is nothing to be ashamed of! It is a common condition, and there are treatments available. Some people only notice their incontinence when they sneeze or cough, while others deal with bladder leakage throughout their daily life.
Urinary incontinence at bedtime is a related concern, and it includes both minor leakage and nocturnal enuresis, or bedwetting.
What causes nighttime leakage?
Bladder leakage in the night can be the result of several causes. Understanding what is causing your leakage will help you determine the best strategies for addressing it.
ADH Imbalance
ADH stands for Anti-Diuretic Hormone, and it helps your kidneys manage the amount of water in your body. This hormone should communicate to your body that it’s nighttime, and therefore it’s time to produce less urine. If your body doesn’t produce enough ADH, your urinary system might not get the message to reduce production, and you may end up with a full bladder throughout the night.
Heavy sleepers may experience bladder leakage at night because of this deficiency.
Treating ADH Imbalance: Medication is used to treat ADH deficiency. It may be administered via injections, pills, or a nasal spray.
Weak Pelvic Floor Muscles
Your pelvic floor muscles do important work! In women, the pelvic floor is a sling of muscles that stretches from the pubic bone to the tailbone, and also from side-to-side. These muscles support your bladder, bowels, and uterus.
In men, similar muscles function as a sort of “hammock” for the bladder and bowels.
Weak pelvic floor muscles are a frequent cause of incontinence, including nighttime incontinence. Sometimes, these muscles are so weak that they do not prevent the leakage of urine from the bladder overnight.
Treating pelvic floor weakness: You can do pelvic floor exercises at home to strengthen this muscle group, or you can seek pelvic floor therapy with a trained physical therapist.
Too Much Caffeine
Many of us depend on caffeine to get through the day, but unfortunately, caffeine comes with some pretty big drawbacks when it comes to our bladders! Caffeine triggers urine production, and it also contributes to UTIs and bladder irritation. That irritation can cause incontinence.
Treating caffeine-related incontinence: Cut back on caffeine. If you can’t eliminate caffeine from your routine entirely, set a limit for how much you drink, and set a “cut off time” in the afternoon or early evening so that you don’t have any in the hours before bed.
Alcohol Consumption Before Bed
Many people experience bedwetting only after they have consumed alcohol in the hours before bedtime. Alcohol suppresses ADH production and irritates the detrusor muscle, which signals to your brain that it’s time to urinate.
Treating alcohol-related incontinence: Reducing your alcohol intake can make a big difference in your life, especially if it is causing uncomfortable side effects like bedwetting.
More Strategies for Dealing with Nighttime Incontinence
We work with patients all the time who experience the uncomfortable reality of incontinence. In our experience, these tips can help you cope with nighttime-related leakage and bed-wetting.
1. Purchase and use high-quality leakage protection. There are many discreet products that are made for managing incontinence at night, including liners, pads, and disposable underwear. Make sure that you choose a product that is specifically designed for urine leakage, rather than just a generic feminine hygiene product.
2. Practice pelvic floor exercises at home. These exercises are not difficult to do, and they can lead to a significant increase in urinary function. There are even products that can help you train your pelvic floor muscles to get stronger!
3. Don’t hesitate to see a doctor. Because people often choose not to talk about their incontinence issues, they may not realize that there are medical solutions for a medical problem!
Speak with a urologist today to get help with your nighttime incontinence.
If your symptoms are creating discomfort in your life, you will absolutely benefit from speaking with a physician! Your urologist can help determine the causes of your problems and find the best lifestyle changes and medical treatments to alleviate them.
The urologists at Norman Urology have helped countless women and men manage their symptoms. We can help you determine which treatments will be the most effective.
If you’re experiencing urinary incontinence, reach out to schedule an appointment with us today. We look forward to helping you feel more in control!