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Giggle incontinence (enuresis risoria). A study and an aetiological hypothesis.
British Journal of Urology
|October 1, 1979
Summary
Approximately 25% of student nurses experience bladder responses to laughter, a condition known as giggle incontinence. This common bladder issue is not always a complete loss of bladder control and may stem from innate triggers influenced by physiological changes.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Physiology
- Continence Research
Background:
- Giggle incontinence, or involuntary bladder leakage triggered by laughter, affects a notable percentage of the population.
- Understanding the prevalence and nature of this condition is crucial for effective management and patient education.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of bladder responses to laughter among student nurses.
- To explore the characteristics and potential underlying mechanisms of giggle incontinence.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based survey was administered to 99 student nurses.
- Data collected focused on lifetime and current experiences with laughter-induced bladder responses.
Main Results:
- Around 25% of participants reported experiencing bladder responses to laughter at some point in their lives.
- Approximately 10% of student nurses reported current experiences with this phenomenon, typically by the end of their second decade.
- The study indicated that giggle incontinence is not exclusively an 'all or nothing' event involving complete micturition.
Conclusions:
- Giggle incontinence appears to be a relatively common condition among young adults.
- The evidence suggests an inborn trigger mechanism, possibly exacerbated by physiological variations in sensitivity or control, underlies giggle incontinence.