Bladder and Bowel Function: What’s Normal?
Presented by Heather Rader
Healthcare providers often struggle to effectively educate patients on the interconnected nature of pelvic health, leading to fragmented care and clinical inefficiency. This course provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the structural and functional parallels between the urinary and gastrointestinal systems to bridge this gap. By examining the pelvic floor as a unified region rather than a collection of isolated systems, clinicians can better recognize how common pathologies such as pelvic organ prolapse, prostate issues, and muscle overactivity contribute to complex waste removal dysfunctions. Participants will learn to identify the specific symptoms of overactive bladder, various forms of incontinence, and constipation while gaining practical communication tools to improve patient history-taking and engagement. This course is designed for physical therapists and other healthcare professionals working in pelvic health or geriatric settings who seek to streamline their diagnostic process and enhance patient outcomes through a more integrated clinical perspective.
Learning Outcomes
- Compare the similarities and differences between the structures of urination and defecation
- List the pelvic floor–related functions of the bladder and bowels
- Recognize structural dysfunctions in the pelvic floor region, including pelvic organ prolapse, prostate issues, and pelvic pain–related muscle overactivity
- Identify the symptoms of overactive bladder, urinary and fecal incontinence, and constipation
Meet your instructor
Heather Rader
Dr. Heather Rader is the owner of Rader Pelvic Physical Therapy, a practice devoted to the treatment of pregnancy-related pain and dysfunction, incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and complex pelvic pain in all genders. A physical therapist since 1994, she graduated from the University of Miami with a master’s degree in…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Structural Norms of the Bladder and Bowels
This chapter utilizes a comparative anatomy approach to highlight the striking similarities between the structures of urination and defecation, such as by comparing the bladder to the rectum as stretchy, smooth-muscle reservoirs. Understanding these anatomical parallels is essential for clinicians because it allows for a more intuitive explanation of waste removal systems, ultimately saving time during patient education in the clinic.
2. Functional Norms of the Bladder and Bowels
This section establishes clear physiological benchmarks for storing, controlling, and emptying waste, including normal voiding frequencies and healthy stool consistencies. Establishing these norms is critical for healthcare providers to accurately differentiate between healthy bodily sensations and the abnormal symptoms that require clinical intervention.
3. Structural Dysfunctions in the Pelvic Floor Region
In this chapter, the focus shifts to how regional structural changes, such as pelvic organ prolapse or prostate enlargement, physically impede the mechanics of bladder and bowel emptying. This knowledge is vital for identifying when a patient’s symptoms are caused by physical obstructions or muscle overactivity rather than systemic disease.
4. Dysfunctions of the Bladder and Bowels
The final chapter explores specific clinical conditions, including overactive bladder, urinary and fecal incontinence, and various forms of constipation. Providing a structured “script” and interview framework for these dysfunctions ensures that providers can conduct thorough history-taking to accurately diagnose and document complex pelvic health issues.
More courses in this series
Bladder and Bowel Function: What’s Normal?
Heather Rader
Overactive Bladder and Incontinence: Patient Education Strategies
Heather Rader
Constipation and Fecal Incontinence: Patient Education Strategies
Heather Rader
Kegel Exercises and the Underactive Pelvic Floor
Heather Rader
Pelvic Pain and the Overactive Pelvic Floor
Heather Rader
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