Continence

Objectives:

At the end of the session, the participant will have:

  • An increased knowledge about factors contributing to continence and incontinence.
  • An increased knowledge of the anatomy of the pelvic floor.
  • Awareness of how to perform pelvic floor exercises.
  • An increased knowledge of healthy bladder and bowel habits.

Facilitator:

This session may be facilitated by a continence nurse, physiotherapist or respiratory nurse.

Topic Content Resources
Introduction.
  • Definition of incontinence (bladder and bowel).
  • Incidence of incontinence.

Types of incontinence: Stress, urge, overflow, functional, reflex.

Symptoms of underlying problem.
Model / diagram of pelvic floor.

“Continence Health” from Continence Foundation of Australia

Bronchiectasis Toolbox “Urinary incontinence in bronchiectasis”
Risk factors and causes.

Link with respiratory disease.
Weak pelvic floor muscles eg Child birth.
  • Obesity.
  • Prostate disease.
  • Constipation.
  • Chronic cough.
  • Changes in hormone levels with menopause.
  • heavy lifting

Resources from the Continence Foundation of Australia.

Better Living with COPD (Ch 17).
Management and treatment techniques. Pelvic floor exercises and integrating these into activities such as coughing (including airway clearance) or sneezing; movements that may trigger symptoms (such as lifting weights, rising from sitting to standing)

Healthy bladder and bowel habits:
  • Fibre.
  • Fluids.
  • Exercise.
  • Evacuation routine.
  • Reduced waiting time.
  • Squatting position.

Continence products and supports
Brochures from the Continence Foundation of Australia. Continence Australia

Bronchiectasis Toolbox “Urinary incontinence in bronchiectasis”

The Knack for an instruction video of The Knack (pelvic floor contraction) for women.

Continence Foundation of Australia “Life with incontinence: management
Services and support groups. Referral to doctor/specialist physiotherapy for continence management.

National Continence Helpline.

Local Continence Nurse Advisors.

Community Health Centre.
Contact details of local services providers. Contact the Continence Foundation of Australia
Summary and questions.

For those with bronchiectasis, the prevalence of incontinence is approximately 55%. Consider referring to a physiotherapist with expertise in this field.

The Toolkit

Getting Started
Getting Started
Patient Assessment
Patient Assessment
Exercise Training
Exercise Training
Patient Education
Patient Education
Patient Re-assessment
Patient Re-Assessment
Additional Resources
Additional Resources

Endorsed by the following organisations according to their respective approved criteria: