Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a term used when someone is not able to control the flow of their urine. This loss of bladder control is fairly common and often occurs when someone coughs or sneezes, which often includes a little bit of leakage. It is also fairly common for someone to experience an extreme urge to urinate, making it necessary for them to make it to a restroom within seconds.

While many people tend to think that incontinence comes with age, this is not the case. According to the American Urological Association, a quarter to a third of men and women in the U.S. suffer from urinary incontinence.

What are the Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence?

The symptoms that come with urinary incontinence are all based on the type of incontinence someone has been diagnosed with, which includes but is not limited to:

Stress incontinence: This type of incontinence happens when there is any type of pressure placed on the bladder, even if it is minimal, i.e. coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising.

Urge incontinence: This type of incontinence comes on suddenly and can cause someone to urinate on themselves if they do not reach a bathroom in time.

Overflow incontinence: This incontinence diagnosis is given to those who have a bladder that does not empty all the way, which means that urine is in a constant dribble.

Functional incontinence: This is a diagnosis given to those who have a mental or physical impairment that prevents them from getting to a bathroom in time.

Mixed incontinence: A term used when one or more of the above symptoms are experienced.

About Temporary Urinary Incontinence

Temporary urinary incontinence is a term used when someone eats certain foods or drinks certain drinks or even take certain medications that can act as a diuretic. A diuretic stimulates the bladder, which in turn increases their amount of urine. Some of the more common causes of temporary urinary incontinence include drinking alcohol, drinking caffeine-based drinks, drinking carbonated drinks, consuming artificial sweeteners, consuming large doses of vitamin C, eating chocolate, eating spicy foods, eating high acid foods, eating high sugar foods, taking certain heart-related medications, taking certain blood pressure medications and taking certain sedatives.

How is Urinary Incontinence Treated?

The type of treatment someone will need will depend on the type of urinary incontinence they have been diagnosed with. It may be necessary for someone to undergo more than one treatment option to address their loss of bladder control.

Common urinary incontinence treatments:

• Behavioral techniques
• Performing pelvic floor muscle exercises
• Electrical stimulation
• Taking prescribed medications
• Wearing a medical device
• Using interventional therapies, i.e. Botox
• Undergoing a surgical procedure

Are You Currently Experiencing Incontinence Problems?

If you are currently experiencing symptoms of urinary incontinence we completely understand if you feel embarrassed, as most people do. This embarrassment can lead to you not enjoying your life as much as you should and that is why we are here to help.

We can help you find out what type of urinary incontinence you have, which is necessary when it comes to providing you with the right type of incontinence treatment. Since it is possible that your incontinence is a sign of a more serious underlying health condition, the sooner you call us to make your consultation appointment, the better.