Urinary Incontinence
Aug 2009
Embarrassing and Inconvenient, But treatable
Are you familiar with every rest stop on I-64? When you go out to dinner, do you request the table closest to the bathroom?
Urinary incontinence, or poor bladder control, affects nearly 25 million people each year. There are several different types of incontinence, including stress, urge and overflow.
Stress incontinence
is the leakage of small amounts of urine while sneezing, coughing or performing any physical activity. Childbirth and some surgeries are the most common causes of stress incontinence.Urge incontinence
is the unexpected, sudden urge to urinate and can be caused by infections that irritate the bladder. Constipation and nervous system disorders (i.e., stroke) as well as certain medications may also cause urge incontinence.Overflow incontinence
is the inability to empty the bladder completely, resulting in frequent or constant leaking.Women over the age of 40 are three times more likely to suffer from urinary incontinence than men of the same age. Childbirth can injure the pelvic floor muscles supporting the bladder, causing the involuntary loss of urine.
Men, on the other hand, often develop incontinence as a result of prostatic disease. The removal of the prostate gland or damage to nerves can lead to stress incontinence, while an enlarged prostate gland can cause blockage in the urethra and create overflow incontinence. Men over 50 years of age are at higher risk of developing incontinence than younger men.
Risk factors for urinary incontinence for both men and women include obesity, smoking, vascular disease, kidney disease and diabetes. If not treated, urinary incontinence can lead to complications such as bladder infections, skin ulcers and an overall decline in quality of life.
Treating urinary incontinence can be as simple as making lifestyle changes or taking oral medication. Anticholinergic drugs are prescription medications that calm the overactive bladder, while antibiotics may be prescribed for incontinence caused by an infection. Pelvic floor exercises, bladder training, scheduled toilet trips (timed voiding) and weight-loss can help control the symptoms of incontinence. Severe incontinence, however, may require a more invasive intervention such as surgery.
In some cases, urinary incontinence can actually be prevented. Simple lifestyle choices including not smoking, reducing body weight, eating foods high in fiber and maintaining an overall healthy lifestyle can help to prevent symptoms associated with urinary incontinence.
If you or someone you know is suffering from the inconvenient and often embarrassing symptoms of urinary incontinence, see a doctor. On average, women live with symptoms unnecessarily for six years before seeking treatment—and men, an average of four years. Eighty percent of people who seek treatment for urinary incontinence either see a drastic reduction in symptoms or experience no symptoms at all.