Wellness
Teacher bladder When nature calls but teachers can’t answer Shelley Svidal
Staff Writer, ATA Magazine
“ For a teacher already experiencing urgency or incontinence, having to wait for the bell can be more than inconvenient."
THE TERM “TEACHER BLADDER” may sound like a joke, but for many teachers, it describes a professional reality—going hours without using the washroom because leaving their class- room is simply not an option. Teachers are responsible for super- vising students and ensuring their safety, and their opportunities to use the wash- room are often limited to recess, lunch or unassigned time, says Sean Brown, the ATA’s coordinator of Teacher Employ- ment Membership Support. Even then, those breaks may be taken up with attending meetings, helping students or dealing with unexpected problems. A teacher who misses one opportunity may have to wait until the next scheduled break. The result is that some teachers routinely postpone urin- ating—sometimes for hours.
Teacher bladder is not a medical diagnosis. It is an informal term adopted by some teachers and urologists for the bladder problems that may develop when people repeatedly delay urination. Regularly ignoring the urge to go can contribute to bladder discomfort and may encourage habits that interfere with normal bladder function. Limiting fluids to avoid having to use the washroom can create problems of its own, including dehydration resulting in possible brain fog and headaches. Studies show that women are more likely than men to experience pelvic-floor problems. Pregnancy, childbirth and menopause can further affect bladder function. For a teacher already experi- encing urgency or incontinence, having to wait for the bell can be more than inconvenient.
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THE ALBERTA TEACHERS’ ASSOCIATION
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