Urinary Urgency and Urge Incontinence
Originally published on: April 6th, 2017. Last modified on October 4th, 2021
An issue with the bladder such as Urge incontinence and urgency can cause a great deal of worry and stress and you may start to live your life around your problem, however there is help available.
What’s the difference between Urge Incontinence and Urgency?
The sudden intense sensation of needing to go to the toilet and having to rush to get there is called ‘urgency ‘.
People who have normal bladder function can hold on until they reach the toilet, but people with urgency may leak if they do not get to a toilet in time. If this happens then it is called ‘urge incontinence’.
What are the Causes?
Most cases of urgency and urge incontinence are caused by an overactive bladder. However, for some people, the cause is never found.
You may feel the need to rush to the toilet if you have a urinary tract infection. People with diseases that affect the nerves that are linked to the bladder such as Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease can be prone to urgency and urge incontinence.
‘Latch key’ urgency can affect people who already have poor bladder control. This term refers to the need to go to the toilet as soon as you get home and put the key in the door. Knowing that you will soon be able to go to the toilet may cause your bladder to contract so that you have to rush to get to the toilet.
Some people experience a similar urgency feeling when they hear running water. This can be quite common but when you have to rush to the toilet and sometimes do not make it in time, you need to investigate this problem.
When to get help with urge incontinence and urgency
If you are concerned about your problem and it is starting to affect your day-to-day life, be sure to make an appointment to see your doctor, continence nurse or specialist physiotherapist. A continence nurse and specialist physiotherapist are healthcare professionals who specialise in bladder and bowel problems.
Once you have made an appointment your healthcare professional will assess you. They may ask you some of the following questions:
- How often do you go to the toilet to pass urine?
- How often do you leak urine?
- When do you leak urine?
- What medication do you take?
- What do you normally eat or drink?
- Is it painful / uncomfortable when you pass urine?
- How many times do you get up at night?
- Do you ever wet the bed?
It would be a good idea to keep a record of your bladder activity for a few days before your appointment. Keep a record for at least 3 days. Please visit our section on Bladder Diary/retraining for more information and a copy of a blank diary you can download and complete yourself. There are a variety of conservative treatments and medications available, and if these fail you may be referred to a surgeon.
Further Information
Further information and downloads can be found in the downloads section.
Living with a bladder condition can affect you emotionally and socially; sometimes it can help to speak to others who understand your situation. The Bladder & Bowel Community Support Group is available around the clock and monitored closely by admins to ensure a safe environment, to allow you to connect with those who share your condition. Start your own topic today or just follow one that interests you.