How can I stop urinary incontinence?
- Posted on: Mar 15 2021
Urinary incontinence is a common problem that can affect women of any age, especially as they age. If you are a woman who is experiencing a loss of bladder control, you need to talk to your doctor to find out what’s causing the often-embarrassing condition. Read on to learn more about urinary incontinence and what you can do to put a stop to your bladder leakage.
What is urinary incontinence?
The loss of bladder control ranges from leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to go that’s so sudden and strong that you don’t get to a bathroom in time to go. It occurs more often as you get older, but that doesn’t mean it’s a natural part of aging.
Types
There are many types of urinary incontinence. Stress incontinence is when you leak urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising. Urge incontinence is the sudden urge to urinate and the involuntary loss of urine. It may be caused by an infection or a more severe condition such as diabetes or a neurologic disorder.
If you experience frequent or constant dribbling of urine, you may have a bladder that doesn’t empty completely, which is called overflow incontinence. Some people experience functional incontinence, which is when you have a physical or mental impairment that keeps you from making it to the bathroom in time. If you experience more than one type of incontinence, it’s called mixed incontinence.
Diagnosis
Urodynamic testing can help see how well your bladder and sphincter muscles work. Urodynamics is the first step to a proper diagnosis.
Treatment
Once you’ve been diagnosed with urinary incontinence, depending on the type of incontinence, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, medical treatment, surgery or a combination of treatments. Behavioral techniques such as bladder training, double voiding and scheduled toilet trips may help. Pelvic floor exercises may be recommended. Some patients respond well to medications and medical devices, while others may require surgical intervention to stop urinary incontinence.
Urinary incontinence may require a combination of treatments to eliminate this embarrassing condition. If you want to learn more information, book an appointment by calling 602-494-5050 (Paradise Valley) or 602-468-3912 (Biltmore).
Posted in: Urinary incontinence