Incontinence and Continence Problems in Grand Rapids, MI

Bladder and bowel leakage (incontinence) and other continence problems are common, but often not talked about—especially here in West Michigan. It’s estimated that more than four million Americans regularly experience bladder or bowel leakage, and many more struggle with urgency, frequency, or difficulty getting to the bathroom in time.

In Grand Rapids, where active lifestyles, cold winters, and an aging population all play a role in health, understanding incontinence and knowing where to get help is especially important.

What Are Continence Problems?

“Continence problems” is a broad term that includes:

  • Bladder incontinence – leaking urine
  • Bowel incontinence – leaking stool (feces)
  • Urgency – a sudden, strong need to go
  • Frequency – needing to urinate very often
  • Nocturia – waking multiple times at night to urinate
  • Difficulty emptying – feeling like your bladder or bowels don’t fully empty

These issues can affect:

  • People of all ages, not just older adults
  • Men and women
  • People after pregnancy or surgery
  • People with chronic conditions common in Michigan, such as diabetes or stroke

Many Grand Rapids residents feel embarrassed and avoid talking about bladder or bowel issues—even with their doctor. Some stop going out, avoid social events downtown, or plan all activities around the nearest restroom.

You do not have to live this way. Help is available locally, and in many cases symptoms can be significantly improved or cured.

You Don’t Need to Become a Recluse

Most incontinence and continence problems can be:

  • Treated, or
  • Greatly improved with the right plan

With proper evaluation and management, you can:

  • Enjoy events at Van Andel Arena or the Frederik Meijer Gardens without worrying about accidents
  • Travel, shop, and visit family without constantly scouting for bathrooms
  • Sleep better at night with fewer trips to the bathroom

Incontinence is not just a normal part of aging, and it is not something you have to “just live with.”

Some key facts:

  • About 1 in 3 women who have had a baby experience bladder control problems at some point.
  • Around 1 in 100 adults never achieve full bladder control at night.
  • About 1 in 20 adults experience bladder or bowel control problems.

Why You Should See a Doctor in Grand Rapids

Incontinence and continence problems are symptoms of an underlying bladder or bowel issue. They are your body’s way of saying something isn’t working quite right.

A healthcare provider in Grand Rapids can:

  • Identify the type of incontinence you have
  • Look for underlying causes (like infection, nerve problems, prostate issues, pelvic floor weakness, or medication side effects)
  • Create a personalized treatment plan

Local options include:

  • Primary care providers at Spectrum Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, and Mercy Health
  • Urologists and urogynecologists (specialists in bladder and pelvic floor disorders)
  • Pelvic floor physical therapists in Grand Rapids
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health for general health support and referrals

If you notice changes in your bladder or bowel habits, don’t wait—especially if you also have pain, blood in urine or stool, weight loss, or sudden worsening symptoms.

Common Symptoms of Bladder Continence Problems

People in Grand Rapids with bladder control issues may notice:

  • Leaking urine with coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise
  • Leaking urine on the way to the bathroom
  • Passing urine frequently, even if only small amounts
  • Rushing to the toilet because of strong urgency
  • Getting up two or more times at night to urinate
  • Wetting the bed while asleep (in children or adults)
  • Feeling like the bladder is not completely empty
  • Weak urine stream or needing to strain to start or finish urinating
  • Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

These symptoms can be especially bothersome in winter when it’s cold, dark, and icy outside, making frequent bathroom trips more difficult and risky.

Common Symptoms of Bowel Continence Problems

Bowel control problems may include:

  • Leaking stool when you feel the urge to have a bowel movement
  • Rushing to the toilet with urgent need to go
  • Leaking stool without warning
  • Leaking stool when passing gas
  • Being unable to control gas
  • Passing hard, dry stools with straining
  • Alternating between constipation and diarrhea

Cold weather, reduced activity in winter, and lower fluid intake—common in West Michigan—can all worsen constipation and bowel issues.

Types of Bladder Control Problems

Stress Incontinence

Leaking small amounts of urine during:

  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Laughing
  • Lifting
  • Exercise

Common causes:

  • Pregnancy and childbirth
  • Being overweight
  • Pelvic floor muscle weakness
  • Prostate surgery in men

Urge Incontinence

A sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by leakage, often with:

  • Frequent urination
  • Nighttime urination (nocturia)

Possible causes:

  • Stroke
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Sometimes no clear cause (overactive bladder)

Overflow Incontinence

Leakage because the bladder does not empty properly and becomes overfull.

Possible causes:

  • Enlarged prostate
  • Nerve damage (including from diabetes, which is common in Michigan)
  • Certain medications
  • Long-term bladder outlet obstruction

Functional Incontinence

Leakage because a person cannot get to or use the toilet in time, due to:

  • Poor mobility (arthritis, weakness, balance problems)
  • Environmental barriers (stairs, distant bathroom)
  • Memory or thinking problems (dementia, cognitive impairment)

Types of Bowel Control Problems

Constipation

Passing hard, dry stools with difficulty or straining.

Common causes:

  • Not drinking enough fluids (especially in winter)
  • Diet low in fiber
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Medications (such as some pain medicines)
  • Nerve problems (including diabetes)
  • Pelvic floor dysfunction

Diarrhea

Frequently passing loose or watery stools.

Possible causes:

  • Infections (viral, bacterial, or parasitic)
  • Bowel conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
  • Food intolerances
  • Certain medications

Fecal Incontinence

Uncontrolled loss of stool, which may be:

  • Associated with diarrhea or constipation
  • Due to damage to the anal muscles (for example, during childbirth)
  • Related to nerve problems
  • Caused by issues in the lower bowel or anus that make it hard to hold stool

What Causes Bladder and Bowel Control Problems?

Common contributing factors include:

  • Pregnancy and childbirth – stretching or injury to pelvic floor muscles and nerves
  • Being overweight or obese – extra pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor
  • Aging – changes in muscles, hormones, and nerves
  • Chronic conditions – diabetes, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis
  • Prostate problems – enlarged prostate or prostate surgery in men
  • Nerve damage – from diabetes, spinal cord injury, or surgery
  • Medications – diuretics, sedatives, some antidepressants, and others
  • Poor mobility – difficulty getting to the bathroom in time
  • Low-fiber diet and low fluid intake – leading to constipation
  • Pelvic floor muscle weakness – very common, especially after childbirth and in older adults

In Grand Rapids, long winters can reduce outdoor activity and water intake, increasing the risk of constipation, weight gain, and pelvic floor deconditioning—all of which can worsen continence problems.

Treatment and Management Options in Grand Rapids

Treatment depends on:

  • The type of incontinence
  • The severity of symptoms
  • Your overall health and personal goals

A typical incontinence management plan may include several of the following:

1. Lifestyle Changes

  • Adequate fluid intake – Usually up to about 2 liters (6–8 glasses) per day, unless your doctor advises otherwise. Urine should be a pale yellow color.
  • Healthy diet – Focus on high-fiber foods to prevent constipation:
    • Wholegrain breads and cereals
    • Brown rice and wholemeal pasta
    • Oats (porridge)
    • Beans, lentils, and other pulses
    • Plenty of fruit and at least five servings of vegetables daily
  • Regular exercise – Aim for at least 30 minutes most days, even if it’s indoor walking at a mall, using a treadmill, or home exercises during the cold Grand Rapids winter.

2. Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises

Pelvic floor exercises strengthen the muscles that support your bladder and bowel.

  • Helpful for stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and some bowel issues
  • Can be taught and supervised by a pelvic floor physiotherapist in Grand Rapids
  • Require regular practice for best results

3. Bladder Retraining

A structured program to:

  • Increase the time between bathroom visits
  • Reduce urgency and frequency
  • Improve bladder capacity and control

Usually guided by a doctor, nurse, or continence specialist.

4. Toileting Programs

Especially helpful for:

  • Older adults
  • People with mobility issues
  • People with memory or thinking problems

These programs may include:

  • Scheduled toileting
  • Assistance with getting to the bathroom
  • Environmental changes (night lights, grab bars, raised toilet seat)

5. Medications

Depending on the cause, medications may:

  • Calm an overactive bladder
  • Treat infections
  • Manage constipation or diarrhea
  • Help with prostate-related urinary problems

Always use medications under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

6. Incontinence Aids

These do not cure incontinence but help manage symptoms:

  • Absorbent pads and underwear
  • Condom drainage systems (for some men)
  • Catheters (temporary or long-term, when necessary)
  • Bed and chair protection

Local pharmacies and medical supply stores in Grand Rapids carry a range of incontinence products.

7. Procedures and Surgery

In some cases, surgery or minimally invasive procedures may be recommended, for example:

  • For certain types of stress incontinence
  • For significant prostate obstruction
  • For pelvic organ prolapse or anal sphincter damage

These are usually handled by specialists at major Grand Rapids hospitals such as Spectrum Health or Trinity Health Grand Rapids.

Healthy Habits to Protect Bladder and Bowel Health

You can lower your risk of incontinence or improve symptoms by adopting these habits:

Drink Enough Fluids

  • Aim for about 6–8 glasses of fluid per day (water is best), unless your doctor gives different advice.
  • Don’t drastically cut fluids to reduce leakage—that can lead to dehydration and constipation, especially in heated indoor environments during winter.

Eat a High-Fiber Diet

  • Choose wholegrain breads and cereals, brown rice, and wholemeal pasta.
  • Include beans, lentils, and pulses regularly.
  • Eat at least two pieces of fruit and five servings of vegetables daily.
  • Limit highly processed or refined foods.

Stay Active Year-Round

  • Walk, swim, or cycle when the weather allows.
  • In winter, consider indoor walking tracks, gyms, or home exercise programs.
  • Regular activity helps maintain a healthy weight, supports bowel function, and improves pelvic floor strength.

Practise Good Toilet Habits

  • Go to the toilet to pass urine only when you feel the urge, not “just in case,” unless your provider has advised scheduled toileting.
  • Take your time to fully empty your bladder and bowels.
  • Don’t ignore the urge to have a bowel movement.

Use Correct Posture on the Toilet (for Bowel Movements)

To help pass stool more easily:

  • Sit with your feet supported (on a small footstool if safe and needed)
  • Lean forward and rest your elbows on your knees
  • Gently bulge out your abdomen (don’t suck it in)
  • Keep your spine relatively straight
  • Relax and avoid prolonged straining

Tone Your Pelvic Floor

  • Learn and regularly perform pelvic floor exercises
  • Ask your GP or a pelvic floor physiotherapist in Grand Rapids for guidance
  • These exercises are important for both men and women

Incontinence in Children and Teens

  • Bedwetting (nocturnal enuresis) affects about 1 in 5 children at some point.
  • It is common and usually not a sign of a serious problem.
  • Talk to your child’s pediatrician or family doctor in Grand Rapids if bedwetting is persistent or causing distress.

Prevention Tips for Grand Rapids Residents

To help prevent incontinence and continence problems:

  • Eat well – High-fiber diet, plenty of fruits and vegetables, wholegrain foods
  • Maintain a healthy weight – Extra weight increases pressure on the pelvic floor
  • Exercise regularly – Aim for at least 30 minutes of activity most days
  • Strengthen your pelvic floor – Especially during and after pregnancy, and as you age
  • Manage chronic conditions – Keep diabetes, blood pressure, and neurological conditions well controlled with help from your healthcare team
  • Avoid smoking – Chronic coughing can weaken pelvic floor muscles
  • Limit bladder irritants if advised – Such as caffeine, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, Michigan

If you have bladder or bowel control problems, don’t be embarrassed to seek help. Many local professionals are experienced in treating incontinence:

  • Your GP / Primary Care Doctor – First stop for assessment and treatment
  • Local hospital systems:
    • Spectrum Health
    • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
    • Metro Health
    • Mercy Health
  • Urologists, urogynecologists, and colorectal specialists – For more complex issues
  • Continence or pelvic floor physiotherapists – For pelvic floor training and bladder/bowel retraining
  • Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health – For general health support and referrals

If you’re unsure where to start, call your primary care office or local health department and ask for help with bladder or bowel incontinence.

Key Points

  • Bladder and bowel control problems are common in Grand Rapids and across the U.S.
  • Many people feel too embarrassed to talk about these issues, but effective treatments exist.
  • Incontinence and continence problems are symptoms of bladder or bowel dysfunction, not a normal part of aging.
  • Lifestyle changes, pelvic floor exercises, bladder and bowel retraining, medications, and sometimes procedures can greatly improve or resolve symptoms.
  • Local resources in Grand Rapids—including primary care providers, specialists, and pelvic floor therapists—are available to help you regain confidence and control.