Continence

Urgency is a symptom where you get a sudden urgent desire to pass urine. You are not able to put off going to the toilet.

There are a number of reasons why you might be going to the toilet more frequently – for example you might have a urinary tract infection. Constipation can also irritate the bladder.

What can I do to help?

• Make it as easy as possible to get to the toilet. If you have difficulty getting about, consider special adaptations like a handrail or a raised seat in your toilet. Sometimes a commode or bottle in the bedroom makes life much easier. It may be helpful to speak to an occupational therapist if you’re having difficulty using your toilet
• Try to drink as normally as possible. Normal fluid intake is 6-8 cups per day. Cutting down on liquids will make things worse
• Reduce your caffeine intake (for example coffee and tea) particularly in the evening. Caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, which will cause you to need the toilet more
• Try to avoid constipation by eating a balance diet with plenty of fibre
• Contact your GP if you think you might have an infection
• Contact your GP, practice nurse or district nurse to talk about your continence problems and if necessary, access specialist continence services and clinics – continence problems can often be improved with the right treatment

Nocturia is where you need to get up several times during the night to go to the toilet. Falls can occur due to stumbling in the dark or through tiredness.

If you need to get up during the night:

• try not to rush – put the lights on and slippers or shoes
• sit for a moment on the side of the bed and moving your legs in a slow marching action before standing up slowly
• put on a bedside lamp and make sure your route to the toilet is well lit

Further support

For more useful information about bladder and bowel conditions visit the NHS inform illnesses and conditions area.

Urgency is a symptom where you get a sudden urgent desire to pass urine. You are not able to put off going to the toilet.

There are a number of reasons why you might be going to the toilet more frequently – for example you might have a urinary tract infection. Constipation can also irritate the bladder.

What can I do to help?

• Make it as easy as possible to get to the toilet. If you have difficulty getting about, consider special adaptations like a handrail or a raised seat in your toilet. Sometimes a commode or bottle in the bedroom makes life much easier. It may be helpful to speak to an occupational therapist if you’re having difficulty using your toilet
• Try to drink as normally as possible. Normal fluid intake is 6-8 cups per day. Cutting down on liquids will make things worse
• Reduce your caffeine intake (for example coffee and tea) particularly in the evening. Caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, which will cause you to need the toilet more
• Try to avoid constipation by eating a balance diet with plenty of fibre
• Contact your GP if you think you might have an infection
• Contact your GP, practice nurse or district nurse to talk about your continence problems and if necessary, access specialist continence services and clinics – continence problems can often be improved with the right treatment

Nocturia is where you need to get up several times during the night to go to the toilet. Falls can occur due to stumbling in the dark or through tiredness.

If you need to get up during the night:

• try not to rush – put the lights on and slippers or shoes
• sit for a moment on the side of the bed and moving your legs in a slow marching action before standing up slowly
• put on a bedside lamp and make sure your route to the toilet is well lit

Further support

For more useful information about bladder and bowel conditions visit the NHS inform illnesses and conditions area.

Urgency is a symptom where you get a sudden urgent desire to pass urine. You are not able to put off going to the toilet.

There are a number of reasons why you might be going to the toilet more frequently – for example you might have a urinary tract infection. Constipation can also irritate the bladder.

What can I do to help?

• Make it as easy as possible to get to the toilet. If you have difficulty getting about, consider special adaptations like a handrail or a raised seat in your toilet. Sometimes a commode or bottle in the bedroom makes life much easier. It may be helpful to speak to an occupational therapist if you’re having difficulty using your toilet
• Try to drink as normally as possible. Normal fluid intake is 6-8 cups per day. Cutting down on liquids will make things worse
• Reduce your caffeine intake (for example coffee and tea) particularly in the evening. Caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, which will cause you to need the toilet more
• Try to avoid constipation by eating a balance diet with plenty of fibre
• Contact your GP if you think you might have an infection
• Contact your GP, practice nurse or district nurse to talk about your continence problems and if necessary, access specialist continence services and clinics – continence problems can often be improved with the right treatment

Nocturia is where you need to get up several times during the night to go to the toilet. Falls can occur due to stumbling in the dark or through tiredness.

If you need to get up during the night:

• try not to rush – put the lights on and slippers or shoes
• sit for a moment on the side of the bed and moving your legs in a slow marching action before standing up slowly
• put on a bedside lamp and make sure your route to the toilet is well lit

Further support

For more useful information about bladder and bowel conditions visit the NHS inform illnesses and conditions area.

Urgency is a symptom where you get a sudden urgent desire to pass urine. You are not able to put off going to the toilet.

There are a number of reasons why you might be going to the toilet more frequently – for example you might have a urinary tract infection. Constipation can also irritate the bladder.

What can I do to help?

• Make it as easy as possible to get to the toilet. If you have difficulty getting about, consider special adaptations like a handrail or a raised seat in your toilet. Sometimes a commode or bottle in the bedroom makes life much easier. It may be helpful to speak to an occupational therapist if you’re having difficulty using your toilet
• Try to drink as normally as possible. Normal fluid intake is 6-8 cups per day. Cutting down on liquids will make things worse
• Reduce your caffeine intake (for example coffee and tea) particularly in the evening. Caffeine has a mild diuretic effect, which will cause you to need the toilet more
• Try to avoid constipation by eating a balance diet with plenty of fibre
• Contact your GP if you think you might have an infection
• Contact your GP, practice nurse or district nurse to talk about your continence problems and if necessary, access specialist continence services and clinics – continence problems can often be improved with the right treatment

Nocturia is where you need to get up several times during the night to go to the toilet. Falls can occur due to stumbling in the dark or through tiredness.

If you need to get up during the night:

• try not to rush – put the lights on and slippers or shoes
• sit for a moment on the side of the bed and moving your legs in a slow marching action before standing up slowly
• put on a bedside lamp and make sure your route to the toilet is well lit

Further support

For more useful information about bladder and bowel conditions visit the NHS inform illnesses and conditions area.