Incontinence: Toilet training helps with bladder weakness

Created: 09/19/2022, 08:30

By: Laura Knops

Bladder weakness can have various causes.

However, targeted training enables those affected to master their everyday life despite urinary incontinence.

Although bladder weakness is one of the most common folk ailments in this country, the topic is still burdened with shame.

Many of those affected usually hesitate for a long time before asking a doctor for help.

In order to keep the complaints secret, many patients even refrain from social gatherings.

Because those who suffer from incontinence are often forced to be able to reach a toilet within a very short time.

However, targeted training can help with urinary incontinence in the long term.

Incontinence: Toilet training helps with bladder weakness

Around nine million people in Germany are affected by urinary incontinence, making bladder weakness one of the most common diseases in Germany.

In the case of urinary incontinence, those affected suffer from an involuntary loss of urine.

If in most cases it is only a few drops, the bladder can also suddenly empty in one fell swoop.

It is also often difficult to control going to the toilet.

Many sufferers of bladder weakness are ashamed of their symptoms (symbol image).

© Panthermedia / Imago

Narrowing down the form of incontinence can help to find the right therapy.

Doctors therefore distinguish between the following forms of incontinence: 

• Stress incontinence (also called stress incontinence)

• urge incontinence 

• me incontinence

Incontinence: Targeted training provides security 

Many people are ashamed to seek medical advice.

Bladder weakness can be successfully treated with targeted training.

In order to treat the symptoms, it is important to know the exact cause.

Bladder weakness can be caused by inflammation in the urogenital tract, stones in the ureters, hormonal changes, injuries, obesity, medication and, in women, also by pregnancy or childbirth.

Heavy physical work or chronic diseases such as chronic bronchitis and diabetes can also impair bladder function.

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According to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), the bladder can learn to stretch more and store more urine through training.

The aim of the training is to recognize the right time to go to the toilet with the help of various behavioral therapy approaches and a concrete drinking and toilet plan - even before the urge to urinate. 

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Incontinence: diary and toilet plan

According to the German Society for Continence, good body awareness and self-observation are the basis for successful toilet training.

Keeping a diary can help you become aware of your own drinking behavior and how often you go to the toilet.

Using a toilet protocol, patients determine when they go to the toilet, what, when and how much they eat and drink.

In this way, the body's reaction to certain foods can be determined and behavior can be adjusted accordingly.

According to the Health Knowledge Foundation, a regular routine in which patients go to the toilet at certain times can help to control the flow of urine.

It also makes sense to combine toilet training with bladder training.

By tensing the pelvic floor, a reflex is activated that relieves the bladder and reduces the symptoms of incontinence.

In this way, the urge to urinate can be deliberately delayed. 

Those affected should also try to extend the time between going to the toilet and not give in directly to the urge to urinate.

Various relaxation techniques can help.

Many people with bladder weakness drink too little for fear of not making it to the toilet in time.

However, if you drink enough fluids regularly, you can control your visits to the toilet better.

This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication.

In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor.

Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.