Incontinence is caused by muscles that change as you age.
In case you’ve been wondering, it’s now official. Your bladder doesn’t actually shrink as you age.
Many people may feel that it really does, what with all the trips to the bathroom we need to take as the years go by, but the truth is out there.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center compared data taken from women between the ages of 22 and 90 to come up with their findings. It was discovered that although the bladder does deteriorate as women age, (bad news), it doesn’t actually reduce in size.
If you suffer from urinary incontinence it just feels like it does, but in actuality it doesn’t.
Related: Peeing Too Much? Here’s the Best Way to Treat Your Bladder
So, why the sense of urinary urgency? Women who experience increased bladder sensation actually have an underlying condition going on called detrusor overactivity (DO).
DO is a common condition, and experts say it happens when the detrusor muscle that empties the bladder contracts involuntarily, resulting in an overactive bladder and a feeling that you really have to go, right now.
Over 17 million Americans suffer from overactive bladder, and it’s a condition that can significantly affect a person’s quality of life, yet an estimated 80 percent of patients do not seek help or treatment.
If you’re feeling the need to pee more than 8 times every 24 hours, you could be suffering from OD. Talk to your doctor and seek relief.
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