Living with aspergillosis can mean dealing with a persistent cough, breathlessness, repeated airway-clearance exercises and treatment side effects. These can sometimes affect bladder or bowel health, but many people feel embarrassed to mention it.
You do not need to put up with bladder or bowel problems. They are common, can affect people of any sex, and help is available.
Chronic cough and stress urinary incontinence
Stress urinary incontinence means leaking urine when pressure builds up in the abdomen—for example when coughing, laughing, sneezing, lifting or exercising. A chronic cough can place repeated strain on the pelvic floor muscles, which help support the bladder and bowel.
This can be especially frustrating when you are doing airway-clearance physiotherapy or lung function testing. It may lead people to avoid activity, social situations or drinking enough fluid. Please mention it to your GP, respiratory team or physiotherapist: it is a health issue, not something to feel ashamed of.
Getting the right support
A GP can assess possible causes, review medicines and refer you to continence services or a pelvic-health physiotherapist where appropriate. A pelvic-health physiotherapist can assess how your pelvic floor is working and provide an individual plan. Pelvic-floor exercises are not always one-size-fits-all, so it is best to seek advice before relying on exercises found online.
Keeping a short bladder or bowel diary before an appointment can be useful. Note when symptoms happen, what you were doing, drinks or medicines that may be relevant, and any leakage, urgency, constipation or diarrhoea.
Bowel health
Constipation, diarrhoea, urgency and wind can affect quality of life and may be related to medicines, diet, infection, stress or another health condition. Repeated straining can also put pressure on the pelvic floor.
If bowel symptoms are persistent, recurrent or affecting daily life, discuss them with your GP or pharmacist rather than trying to manage them alone. They can check for possible causes and advise on the safest treatment for you.
When to seek prompt medical advice
Contact your GP promptly if you notice:
- blood in your urine or stools, or black stools
- a persistent change in bowel habit
- unexplained weight loss, marked tiredness or loss of appetite
- new severe abdominal or pelvic pain
- difficulty passing urine, inability to empty your bladder, or recurrent urinary infections.
Seek urgent help for severe abdominal pain, heavy bleeding, or if you are unable to pass urine.
Further information
- NHS: urinary incontinence
- Bladder & Bowel UK
- Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP)
Key message
Bladder and bowel symptoms can be difficult to talk about, but they are not an inevitable part of living with a long-term lung condition. Asking for help can make airway clearance, activity and everyday life more manageable.
This page provides general information and does not replace advice from your own clinical team.
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