What to Do for Loss of Bladder Control When Coughing

If you cough, sneeze or laugh and lose small amounts of urine when doing so, you may have urinary incontinence. This is the medical term for loss of bladder control. Losing control of your bladder can happen at any time, even outside of coughing. Treatments for urinary incontinence depend on its severity.

Behavioral Techniques

• Behavioral techniques are useful for treating urinary incontinence. In many cases, they work well on their own with no need for additional treatments. One behavioral technique often suggested is bladder training.

  Bladder training involves learning how to delay urination when you get the urge to go. You will first practice holding back for at least 10 minutes whenever you feel you have to go to the bathroom. This will help lengthen the time you can wait before urinating. Your goal is to be able to space your trips to the bathroom to between two and four hours.

  You'll also learn how to double-void. Double-voiding is urinating, then waiting a few moments to try urinating again. This exercise will help you learn how to empty your bladder fully and avoid overflow incontinence, a constant or frequent dribble of urine. You will also learn to control your urges to go, by using rhythmic breathing--slow, deep breathing--as a distraction.

  One helpful tip in addition to behavioral training is scheduling. This means scheduling your bathroom times rather than waiting until you need to go. You will be asked to plan to urinate every two to four hours.

  Another tip is to manage the amount of food and liquid you consume. This will help to ensure that your stomach is not putting undue pressure on your bladder.

Physical Therapy

• The goal of physical therapy is to strengthen your bladder. Kegel exercises are an important therapy that strengthens the urinary sphincter and pelvic floor muscles, which help you urinate.

  Imagine that you are trying to stop urinary flow in the middle of urination. Squeeze that muscle, hold it for a count of three, and then repeat. Your physician may suggest that you do these exercises frequently.

  If you have symptoms of urinary incontinence, see your physician before trying any of these treatments at home.