Scribd
Upload
5 views3 pages

bladder retraining for patients - urge wave

The document discusses bladder training techniques to manage bladder urgency and frequency, which can lead to urinary incontinence. It provides methods such as deep breathing, pelvic muscle squeezes, distraction techniques, and positive self-talk to help control the urge to urinate. The goal is to gradually increase the time between bathroom visits and improve bladder control over a few weeks.

Uploaded by

Liv Rachelle Gold
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views3 pages

bladder retraining for patients - urge wave

The document discusses bladder training techniques to manage bladder urgency and frequency, which can lead to urinary incontinence. It provides methods such as deep breathing, pelvic muscle squeezes, distraction techniques, and positive self-talk to help control the urge to urinate. The goal is to gradually increase the time between bathroom visits and improve bladder control over a few weeks.

Uploaded by

Liv Rachelle Gold
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

12/16/24, 6:27 AM Controlling Your Bladder Urges With Bladder Training

Controlling Your Bladder Urges With


Bladder Training
Usually, the bladder can hold urine for 4 to 5 hours, then you feel the urge to pee (urinate) and you should be
able to walk to the bathroom. But some people will have an overactive bladder and feel a sudden urge to pee
that comes on quickly, they may have that “gotta-go” sensation. This is called bladder urgency.

URGENCY is a signal from you brain telling you your bladder wants to be emptied right away. It feels like a
strong need to pee that comes on suddenly, usually not expected. It can cause you to go pee more often. And
urgency can lead to bladder leaks on the way to the bathroom. Most times, the amount of urine leaked (urinary
incontinence) is only small but it can be a lot, all the urine in your bladder. Common things that bring on urgency
are: hearing running water, putting your key in the door at home, when washing dishes or clothes or seeing a
sign for a toilet.

FREQUENCY is peeing often, usually 8 times or more in a day. Bladder frequency can get worse if you start the
habit of peeing “just in case.” With frequency, the bladder never fills completely and gets used to holding only a
small amount of urine, giving you the “urge to pee” sooner and sooner.

URGENCY BLADDER LEAKS happen when the bladder muscle starts to contract before you get to the toilet.
Like in the picture below, urgency follows a wave pattern; it starts, grows, peaks, and then subsides until it stops.
The key to controlling bladder urgency is by practicing “bladder training” that uses methods like “urge
suppression” which are calming messages to your brain to stop you peeing so often. So, when you feel a
sudden, urgent need to pee, do not rush or run to the bathroom. Rushing will jiggle your bladder and increase the
feeling of urgency and may cause bladder leaks.

https://www.urotoday.com/library-resources/bladder-health/145004-controlling-your-bladder-urges-with-bladder-training.html?tmpl=component&print=1 1/3
12/16/24, 6:27 AM Controlling Your Bladder Urges With Bladder Training

Ways to Take Control of Urgency

You can take control over your bladder urgency in these simple ways:
• Focus on another body sensation. Deep breathing is good. Sit down and take five slow, deep breaths. Think
about the air moving in and out of your lungs instead of how your bladder feels.
• Squeeze your pelvic muscles. So when urgency comes on, sit and do a couple of gentle pelvic muscle
squeezes, just 3 to 5 squeezes. This will calm your bladder and the urgency will go away. You can also try
holding one strong squeeze of your pelvic muscles. Try each way and see which one works best for you.
• Distract yourself. If you get you mind off your bladder long enough, the feeling of urgency will often pass. One
way is by focusing on a mental activity like a mind game. Another way is to turn your attention to counting
backward from 100 by 7s or working on a crossword puzzle.
• Do a task that requires a lot of thought—for example, play a game on your computer or iPad or phone, write a
letter, plan the weekly food menus, or some other activity that focuses your thinking. Note: TV watching and
talking on the telephone are not distracting enough.
• Use self-talk or good self-statements. Tell yourself: “I am the boss, not my bladder.” “I am in control.” “I can beat
this.” Find a statement that fits your situation and personality the best. Keep saying this statement over and over
until the feeling of urgency passes.

Sometimes you will need to perform more than one of these methods before the feeling of urgency goes away. If
at first you do not succeed, do not give up. Remember, it takes practice to gain control over bladder urgency. But
over time, you will gain more control and have fewer feelings of urgency.

https://www.urotoday.com/library-resources/bladder-health/145004-controlling-your-bladder-urges-with-bladder-training.html?tmpl=component&print=1 2/3
12/16/24, 6:27 AM Controlling Your Bladder Urges With Bladder Training

When to Go to the Toilet to Pee

After the urge goes away, try to put off peeing by waiting a few minutes- maybe 5 minutes. Lessen urgency and
calm down your bladder by following some of the control suggestions. If you don’t think you can wait that long,
then go to the toilet whether you feel you have to go or not.

Once you can easily wait 5 minutes before peeing, stretch the time by waiting 10 to 15 minutes. The goal is for
you to increase the time between peeing.

Never rush or run to the bathroom as fast movement may cause urine leakage. So walk slowly. If the urgency
returns on the way to the toilet or in the bathroom, STOP, stand still, and squeeze your pelvic muscles until your
bladder calms down.

When to Try Bladder Training


Begin by only practicing this at home where you are relaxed and the bathroom is nearby. Empty your bladder
right before going to sleep to lessen the chances of waking up to pee. Don’t forget to cut down on drinks with
caffeine and alcohol.
When Will I See a Change?
In 3 to 4 weeks, you should see improvement. You should only be peeing every 3 - 4 hours or even every 5 hours
during the day and be up less often at night to pee. Do not despair or get discouraged if you do not see quick
results.

©2009/2020 Diane Newman PATIENT EDUCATION – BLADDER TRAINING

https://www.urotoday.com/library-resources/bladder-health/145004-controlling-your-bladder-urges-with-bladder-training.html?tmpl=component&print=1 3/3

You might also like