How Do You Treat Urinary Incontinence

Is Incontinence More Common In Women

Incontinence is much more commonly seen in women than in men. A large part of this is because of pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. Each of these events in a womans life can lead to bladder control issues. Pregnancy can be a short-term cause of incontinence and the bladder control issues typically get better after the baby is born. Some women experience incontinence after delivery because of the strain childbirth takes on the pelvic floor muscles. When these muscles are weakened, youre more likely to experience leakage issues. Menopause causes your body to go through a lot of change. Your hormones change during menopause and this can alter your bladder control.

Men can also experience incontinence, but it isnt as common as it is in women.

Do The Right Exercises

High-impact exercise and sit-ups put pressure on your pelvic floor muscles and can increase leaks.

To strengthen your pelvic floor to relieve symptoms, replace high-impact exercise, such as jogging and aerobics, with strengthening exercise, such as pilates.

Pilates strengthens your core muscles, which is beneficial for stress incontinence.

Evaluation Of Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence usually does not indicate a disorder that is life threatening nevertheless, incontinence may cause embarrassment or lead people to restrict their activities unnecessarily, contributing to a decline in quality of life. Also, rarely, sudden incontinence can be a symptom of a spinal cord disorder. The following information can help people decide when a doctor’s evaluation is needed and help them know what to expect during the evaluation.

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Why Does Pregnancy Cause Incontinence

During pregnancy, your body goes through a lot of physical changes. As your uterus stretches to hold the growing baby, a few things happen. Your bladder can be squished by the expanding baby, making your bladder hold less than before. You might experience an increased urgency to pee during pregnancy because your bladder cannot hold as much as before. This might become even more challenging towards the end of pregnancy when the baby is at its largest.

Another reason for incontinence during pregnancy is the weakening of your pelvic floor muscles. These muscles are the support structures for all of the organs in your pelvis. During pregnancy, they can be stretched and weakened as your uterus expands.

Causes Of Total Incontinence

Total incontinence occurs when your bladder cannot store any urine at all. It can result in you either passing large amounts of urine constantly, or passing urine occasionally with frequent leaking.

Total incontinence can be caused by:

• a problem with your bladder from birth
• injury to your spinal cord, which can disrupt the nerve signals between your brain and your bladder
• a bladder fistula, which is a small tunnel-like hole that can form between the bladder and a nearby area, such as the vagina, in women

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Multiple Sclerosis And Incontinence

Multiple Sclerosis can be a frustrating and exasperating condition for those dealing with the disease. When the brain and body have difficulty communicating, this causes control issues for many bodily functions, including urination and voiding. Because emptying the bladder requires a coordination between bladder muscles and the sphincter, any disruption in the signals can create problems that are overwhelming and often embarrassing. Good news is, there are steps you can take to manage bladder control problems.

Try Drinking Some Unsweetened Cranberry Juice

While the research is a bit unclear, cranberries have been used as a prevention of UTI for generations. Studies have shown that cranberries actually make it harder for the bacteria that cause UTIs to stick to the urinary tract walls. So, while not really a remedy, if you frequently get UTIs, it might be worth drinking a couple of glasses of unsweetened cranberry juice, or snacking on the actual fruit .

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Causes Of Urinary Incontinence

Stress incontinence is usually the result of the weakening of or damage to the muscles used to prevent urination, such as the pelvic floor muscles and the urethral sphincter.

Urge incontinence is usually the result of overactivity of the detrusor muscles, which control the bladder.

Overflow incontinence is often caused by an obstruction or blockage in your bladder, which prevents it from emptying fully.

Total incontinence may be caused by a problem with the bladder from birth, a spinal injury, or a small, tunnel like hole that can form between the bladder and a nearby area .

Certain things can increase the chances of urinary incontinence, including:

• pregnancy and vaginal birth

Find out more about the causes of urinary incontinence.

What Is Good For Urinary Incontinence In Women

There are several things you can do to help manage your symptoms. Your doctor may suggest some of the following:

• Consume less caffeine

It may also be helpful to use female incontinence products such as:

• attaching pads to your underwear to absorb any leaks
• Using a handheld urinal
• Using devices placed in your urethra or vagina to prevent leaks
• Learning to self-catheterize

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Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Your pelvic floor muscles surround the bladder and urethra and control the flow of urine as you pee.

Weak or damaged pelvic floor muscles can cause urinary incontinence, so exercising these muscles is often recommended.

A GP may refer you to a specialist to start a programme of pelvic floor muscle training.

The specialist will assess whether you’re able to squeeze your pelvic floor muscles and by how much.

If you can contract your pelvic floor muscles, you’ll be given an exercise programme based on your assessment.

Your programme should include a minimum of 8 muscle contractions at least 3 times a day and last for at least 3 months. If the exercises are helping after this time, you can keep on doing them.

Research has shown that pelvic floor muscle training can benefit everyone with urinary incontinence.

Find out more about pelvic floor exercises.

Botulinum Toxin A Injections

Botulinum toxin A can be injected into the sides of your bladder to treat urge incontinence and overactive bladder syndrome .

This medication can sometimes help relieve these problems by relaxing your bladder. This effect can last for several months and the injections can be repeated if they help.

Although the symptoms of incontinence may improve after the injections, you may find it difficult to fully empty your bladder. If this happens, you will need to be taught how to insert a catheter into your urethra to drain the urine from your bladder.

Botulinum toxin A is not currently licensed to treat urge incontinence or OAB, so you should be made aware of any risks before deciding to have the treatment. The long-term effects of this treatment are not yet known.

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How Do You Treat Urinary Incontinence With Tecartherapy

Before anything else, it is important to identify the symptoms, when they appear, what you eating and drinking habits are, how you manage the need to urinate and how many times you go to the toilet each day. All this information is of great relevance in order to make a good diagnosis and identify the true cause of the incontinence.

When choosing a urogyneacological tecartherapy treatment as a solution, it is worth noting that, thanks to our technological advances at Capenergy, we have succeeded in creating a highly-specialist intra-cavity device for the non-invasive treatment of this type of pathology.

This technology consists of the application of controlled radio-frequency energy using temperature sensors, which allows us to know the temperature reached within internal and external tissue at all times, and in this way, making it completely safe for the patient. It also achieves really notable results, always keeping in mind that each patient will respond to the same treatment in a different way.

To find out for yourself how this treatment works, below we have shared a useful video, of just under two minutes duration, for you to find out all that you need to know about treating urinary incontinence with tecartherapy.

If you have any further questions, our expert team is here to resolve any doubts you may have. Lastly, remember that all our equipment holds the Medical Certificate 13485, which guarantees your clients that they are in good hands.

What Are The Symptoms Of Incontinence

The main symptom of incontinence is a leakage of urine. This could be a constant dripping of urine or an occasional experience of leakage. If you have incontinence, you might have large amounts or small amounts of leaked urine. You might experience leakage for a wide variety of reasons often depending on the type of incontinence you have.

You might leak urine when you:

• Exercise.
• Have an urge to urinate, but cant make it to the toilet on time.
• Have to get up in the middle of night to urinate .

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How Can You Tell Dog Incontinence From Inappropriate Elimination

Other conditions can look like incontinence in dogs but may be caused by a different issue. Most of the following instances of inappropriate elimination are voluntary urinations in which the pet is aware, but loses control.

• Submissive or excitement urination: This is a voluntary urination that has a behavioral component. Submissive urination often involves a small amount of urine and only happens when your dog is near a person or excited about an event.

• Lack of proper house-training: Some dogs have not been consistently and positively trained to eliminate in appropriate spots. This can look like a normal amount of urine, and it tends to happen near a door or somewhere away from where your dog eats, sleeps, and plays.

• Cognitive changes: Older pets can experience cognitive changes that alter their ability to recognize appropriate places to urinate. You will find a normal amount of urine in any place throughout the house.

• Pain: Pain can lead to inappropriate elimination as well, as some pets find it difficult to posture or physically move to the correct location. Sometimes this can look like your dog is dripping urine as they try to make their way outside.

When To See A Doctor For Your Uti

If your symptoms persist beyond a few days with no sign of improvement, or if your infection keeps recurring, its best to see a doctor. While many home remedies may ease symptoms if they persist your doctor will be able to determine the cause and prescribe a course of antibiotics that should help take care of your UTI right away and prevent it from leading to a worsening condition or infection.

Have you tried any of the above natural remedies for UTIs, or other home treatments to treat your urinary tract infection? Tell us about them in the comments below!

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Causes Of Urge Incontinence

The urgent and frequent need to pass urine can be caused by a problem with the detrusor muscle in the wall of the bladder. The detrusor muscles relax to allow the bladder to fill with urine, then contract when you go to the toilet to let the urine out.

Sometimes the detrusor muscle contract too often, creating an urgent need to go to the toilet. This is known as having an ‘overactive bladder’. The reason your detrusor muscle contracts too often may not be clear, but possible causes include:

• drinking too much alcohol or caffeine
• poor fluid intake this can cause strong, concentrated urine to collect in your bladder, which can irritate your bladder and cause symptoms of overactivity
• conditions affecting the lower urinary tract , such as urinary tract infections or tumours in the bladder
• neurological conditions
• certain medications

Urinary Incontinence Caused By A Weak Bladder

Lets talk more specifically about the details involving weak bladder sphincter incontinence. The medical term is urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence . This condition is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in spayed female dogs. Often, they are mature or middle aged when the incontinence starts.

According to a research article by Forsee, Davis, Mouat, et. al in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs weighing 15 kilograms or more are seven times more likely to develop urinary incontinence.1

The Veterinary Information Network notes that several breeds have urinary incontinence more commonly. These include the Bearded Collie, Boxer, Collie, Dalmatian, Doberman Pinscher, English Springer Spaniel, German Shepherd Dog, Irish Setter, Old English Sheepdog, Rottweiler, and Weimaraner.2

Multiple factors are thought to play a role in USMI, including abnormal bladder positioning, estrogen deficiency or decline, obesity, genetics, or changes to vaginal support structures. Studies show mixed results about the timing of spaying in relation to this condition.

Treatment for Weak Bladders in Dogs

We initially try medication therapy for dogs experiencing USMI.

Phenylpropanolamine is a drug we commonly trial it is well-tolerated by many pets and has been widely used in veterinary medicine. This medication can have some side effects , so we monitor these pets closely after starting medication.

References:

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Bladder Anatomy And Physiology

The anatomy and physiology of the bladder are complex, but a basic understanding of these topics is essential in order to appreciate the various types of UI and their management., illustrates the basic anatomic structures and nervous system wiring involved in bladder function, including the detrusor muscle, the internal and external sphincters , and their neurological components.

Bladder anatomy and physiology.

Reduced activation of the sympathetic nervous system results in relaxation of the detrusor muscle, closure of the sphincter, and bladder filling. When the volume of urine in the bladder reaches 200 to 400 mL, the sensation of urge to void is relayed via the spinal cord to the brain centers. Voluntary voiding involves the parasympathetic nervous system and the voluntary somatic nervous system. Influences from these systems cause contractions of the detrusor muscle and corresponding somatic nervous activity, leading to sphincter relaxation.

When To Seek Medical Help

Any instance of incontinence is reason to seek medical help. It may be a symptom of a more serious condition that needs to be treated.

Even if the underlying cause isnt serious, incontinence can be a major disruption in your life. Its important to get an accurate diagnosis and discuss treatment options with your healthcare provider.

In some cases, incontinence is a sign of a medical emergency.

You should seek immediate medical attention if you lose control of your bladder and experience any of the following symptoms:

• trouble speaking or walking

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Related Conditions And Causes Of Urinary Incontinence

Fecal incontinence is light to moderate bowel leakage due to diarrhea, constipation, or muscle or nerve damage.

As described in the section above on causes of urinary incontinence, common conditions may contribute to chronic urinary incontinence, including: urinary tract infection , constipation, interstitial cystitis or other bladder conditions, nerve damage that affects bladder control, side effects from a prior surgery, and neurological disorders.

Clinical Management Of Urinary Incontinence In Women

This is a corrected version of the article that appeared in print.

LAUREN HERSH, MD, and BROOKE SALZMAN, MD, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Am Fam Physician. 2013 May 1 87:634-640.

Patient information: A handout on this topic is available at .

• References

Urinary incontinence, defined as the involuntary leakage of urine, affects 20 million persons nationwide. 1 Estimations of prevalence range from 3 to 55 percent, depending on the definition and the population.2 Within nursing homes, 60 to 70 percent of patients experience the disorder.3 These estimates are thought to be conservative, because at least one-half of patients do not report incontinence to a physician.4

SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Conservative therapies should be the first-line treatment for stress and urge urinary incontinence.

SORT: KEY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Conservative therapies should be the first-line treatment for stress and urge urinary incontinence.

Classification of Urinary Incontinence in Women

Information from references 6 and 7.

Information from references 6 and 7.

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What The Doctor Does

Doctors first ask questions about the person’s symptoms and medical history. Doctors then do a physical examination. What they find during the history and physical examination often suggests a cause of the incontinence and the tests that may need to be done.

Doctors ask questions about the circumstances of urine loss, including amount, time of day, and any precipitating factors . People are asked whether they can sense the need to urinate and, if so, whether the sensation is normal or comes with sudden urgency. Doctors may also ask the person to estimate the amount of urine leakage. Doctors will also ask whether the person has any additional problems with urination, such as pain or burning during urination, a frequent need to urinate, difficulty starting urination, or a weak urine stream.

Sometimes doctors may ask people to keep a record of their urination habits over a day or two. This record is called a voiding diary. Each time the person urinates, the volume and time are recorded. After an episode of incontinence, the person also records any related activities, especially eating, drinking, drug use, or sleep.

Although urodynamic testing is important, results do not always predict response to drug treatment or assess the relative importance of multiple causes.

Is Urinary Incontinence Just Part Of Growing Older

No. But changes with age can reduce how much urine your bladder can hold. Aging can make your stream of urine weaker and can cause you to feel the urge to urinate more often. This doesnt mean youll have urinary incontinence just because youre aging. With treatment, it can be controlled or cured.

Learn More About Urinary Incontinence

There are 5 types of urinary incontinence, described below.

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