Lab Tests For Urinary Incontinence

What Is Urodynamic Testing

Urodynamic tests are used to diagnose patients who have urinary incontinence or other lower urinary tract symptoms. These tests are given to both men and women. Urodynamic tests are used to measure:

• Nerve and muscle function.
• Pressure around and in the bladder.
• Flow rates and other factors.

These tests look at how well the bladder, sphincters, and urethra are storing and releasing urine .

How Is The Problem Of Inappropriate Urination Investigated

The search for answers starts with a complete history and physical examination. A pets history is the information you give your veterinarian about your pets illness. This information can provide important clues about the underlying problem. For example, an older spayed female dog with a history of leaking urine when she lies down may have hormone responsive urinary incontinence a pet that strains to urinate may have inflammation or blockage of the urinary tract a puppy that rolls on its back and urinates is being submissive a dog that drinks excessively and urinates a lot may have diabetes.

“The search for answers starts with a complete history and physical examination.”

Physical examination involves looking at all parts of the body, and typically includes listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope and palpating the abdomen . In a pet that is having urinary accidents, the physical examination may reveal such things as vaginal discharge in a female suggesting vaginitis large tense bladder suggesting urinary obstruction or abnormally shaped or sized kidneys suggesting kidney disease.

If history and physical examination are unhelpful then further testing will likely be needed and your veterinarian may recommend doing screening tests. These are a series of simple tests that provide information about the overall health of the pet, and often provide further clues about the underlying problem.

Demonstration Of Stress Incontinence: Cough Stress Test

Stress urinary incontinence should be objectively demonstrated before any anti-incontinence surgery is performed 101113. Visualization of fluid loss from the urethra simultaneous with a cough is diagnostic of SUI. Delayed fluid loss is considered a negative cough stress test result and suggests cough-induced detrusor overactivity. The cough stress test can be performed with the patient in the supine position during the physical examination. However, if urine leakage is not observed, the cough stress test needs to be repeated with the patient standing and with a full bladder to maximize test sensitivity. Health care providers often ask patients to come to the office with a full bladder during an initial evaluation so that the cough stress test can be performed before bladder emptying 12.

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Essentials For Older People: Urinary Incontinence

Although incontinence is more common among older people, it is not a normal part of aging.

With aging, bladder capacity decreases, ability to delay urination declines, involuntary bladder contractions occur more often, and bladder contractions weaken. Thus, urination becomes more difficult to postpone and tends to be incomplete. The muscles, ligaments, and connective tissue of the pelvis weaken, contributing to incontinence. In postmenopausal women, decreased estrogen levels lead to atrophic urethritis and atrophic vaginitis and to decreasing the strength of the urethral sphincter. In men, prostate size increases, partially obstructing the urethra and leading to incomplete bladder emptying and strain on the bladder muscle. These changes occur in many normal, continent older people and may facilitate incontinence but do not cause it.

The most effective drugs for many kinds of incontinence have anticholinergic effects . These effects, such as constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, and sometimes even confusion, can be particularly troublesome in older people.

Things You Can Do To Help Make A Diagnosis

To help diagnose your condition, your doctor may ask you to keep a bladder diary.

To do this, youll most likely fill out a chart that your doctor gives you. This chart typically has lines for different times of the day, and asks you to record:

• How often you urinate
• The amount of urine you pass
• What liquids you drink, and how much
• Any episodes of urgency to urinate
• Any accidental urine leakage
• What you were doing at the time in question

Your doctor will probably ask you to keep this diary for at least three days. These days may not need to be consecutive, and should ideally be days that are fairly typical in terms of your activities.

On days when youre keeping a diary, its advised that you measure each serving of beverages that you consume.

You should also measure how much you urinate. To do this, your doctor may give you a special urine collection device that sits under your toilet seat.

You should rinse this device with water after each use, and keep it next to your toilet or carry it with you, if youll be outside of your home.

If youre keeping a bladder diary before seeing your doctor, you can collect your urine in a paper cup and estimate the amount based on the size of the cup.

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What Can These Screening Tests Tell Us

A) Complete blood count . This is a simple blood test that provides information about the different cell types in blood. These include red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the tissues, white blood cells, which fight infection and respond to inflammation, and platelets, which help the blood to clot. The CBC provides details about the number, size, and shape of the various cell types, and identifies the presence of abnormal cells in circulation. See handout Complete Blood Count for more information.

The CBC is often normal in pets that are urinating inappropriately. However, changes that may be seen include:

• Anemia is indicated by a decrease in total red blood cell number, hemoglobin, and the packed cell volume of the blood. Anemia may be due to chronic kidney disease or other chronic illness including cancer.
• Increased numbers of white blood cells may indicate infection of the kidneys, or secondary infections due to diabetes mellitus or Cushings disease.
• Increased numbers of neutrophils may indicate underlying infection, the use of corticosteroid medication, or Cushings disease.

In a pet that is urinating inappropriately the serum biochemistry profile could show:

• Elevated glucose suggesting diabetes mellitus.
• Elevated kidney values suggesting kidney disease.
• which may indicate diabetes insipidus or liver disease.
• Mild elevation of liver enzymes which is often seen with Cushings disease or with the use of corticosteroid medication.

Commonly Performed Urology Tests

If you need to get a urology test done, its probably a good idea to understand what urology is. Simply put, urology is a branch of health care that deals with male and female urinary tracts1. It involves the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Urology also includes the male organs used in reproduction, but excludes the female organs.

Urology, at its core, is a surgical specialty that helps to deal with the diseases of both male and female urinary tracts1. Urinary tract problems are possible regardless of age, so if you feel like youre having problems or things arent regular, its time to see your urologist. When you make an appointment to see your urologist, there are a number of commonly performed tests used in diagnosing the underlying problem. In this article, well discuss some of the most commonly performed urology tests used in the office. Based on the results of the test, further monitoring, care, or surgery is recommended and you and your doctor will discuss the best plan of action for your circumstances.

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Creatinine And Blood Urea Nitrogen Blood Tests

The next type of blood test is a creatinine and blood urea nitrogen test, which is used to assess how the kidneys are functioning through creatinine measurement. When you have high levels of creatinine in your blood, its oftentimes an indication that your kidneys arent functioning properly or efficiently2. Depending on the ratio of creatinine to blood urea nitrogen, your urologist will be able to diagnose the problem.

When your kidneys arent functioning well, the blood flow is thrown off. Sometimes, the problem is as simple as dehydration. Other times, its more serious and helps diagnose congestive heart failure2.

Diagnosing Female Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence, a loss of bladder control, is common among women. Millions of women experience involuntary leakage of urine at some point in their lives. Some women have occasional, small leaks, but others lose a large amount. NYU Langone urologists and urogynecologists have extensive experience in diagnosing and treating urinary incontinence.

Certain lifestyle habits can contribute to urgency incontinence. These include excessive fluid intake and consuming alcohol and caffeine, which may irritate the bladder and increase your bodys production of urine. Other causes include certain medications, such as those prescribed for high blood pressure antihistamines antipsychotics diuretics muscle relaxants opium-based painkillers and sedatives.

Urinary tract infections and constipation can also lead to urgency incontinence. Infections can irritate the bladder, and constipation can cause the bladder to become overactive, increasing your need to urinate. Urgency incontinence is also linked to neurologic conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, stroke, and spinal cord injury.

Stress incontinence has been associated with aging, childbirth, menopause, obesity, and pregnancy. These conditions can weaken pelvic floor muscles, the urethra, or both, allowing urine to leak during a cough, laugh, or sneeze, or when youre lifting heavy objects.

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Simple Tests Of Lower Urinary Tract Function

Sometimes the basic evaluation reveals neither transient causes nor indications for specialized testing, and the history and physical examination do not permit distinction between urge and stress incontinence. In this situation, simple tests of lower urinary tract function may be helpful. These tests mimic formal cystometrographic studies but can easily be performed in the family physician’s office.

Why Is My House

Inappropriate urination or urinary accidents happen in well-trained pets for many reasons, including:

• inflammation or infection of the urinary or reproductive tracts
• estrogen deficiency in spayed female dogs
• diseases that cause increased urination such as kidney failure, diabetes mellitus , diabetes insipidus, and hyperadrenocorticism
• neurological disease affecting control of the bladder
• behavioral issues such as submissiveness or territoriality
• certain medications, such as corticosteroids, that may cause increased thirst and urination leading to urinary accidents.

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Pelvic Or Prostate Exam

During a female pelvic exam your doctor will examine you for any vaginal abnormalities and to see if the pelvic muscles needed for urination are in good condition. Your doctor will also check the strength of the muscle attachment in the vaginal region. Weak pelvic muscles can lead to urge incontinence or stress incontinence. Urge incontinence is usually a symptom of OAB, while stress incontinence is usually independent from OAB.

In men, a prostate exam will determine whether an enlarged prostate is causing OAB symptoms.

Treatment Of Urinary Incontinence

Treatment usually begins with bladder training and Kegel exercises. Avoiding physical stresses that cause loss of urine and losing weight may help control incontinence. Pseudoephedrine may be useful in women with bladder outlet incompetence. Imipramine may be used for mixed stress and urge incontinence Urge incontinence Urinary incontinence is involuntary loss of urine. Incontinence can occur in both men and women at any age, but it is more common among women and older people, affecting about 30% of older women… read more or for either separately. Duloxetine is also used for stress incontinence. If stress incontinence is caused by atrophic urethritis or vaginitis, estrogen cream is often effective. For people with stress incontinence, urinating frequently to avoid a full bladder is often helpful.

For stress incontinence that is not relieved with drugs and behavioral measures, surgery or devices such as pessaries may be helpful. The vaginal sling procedure creates a hammock of support to help prevent the urethra from opening during coughing, sneezing, or laughing. Most commonly, a sling is created from synthetic mesh. Mesh implants are effective, but a few people with mesh implants have serious complications. Alternatively, doctors can create a sling using tissue from the abdominal wall or leg. In men with stress incontinence, a mesh sling or an artificial urinary sphincter implant may be placed around the urethra to prevent leakage of urine.

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When To See A Doctor

People with warning signs should go to an emergency department at once. People without warning signs should call their doctor. The doctor will decide how quickly they need to be seen based on their other symptoms and other known conditions. In general, if incontinence is the only symptom, a delay of a week or so is not harmful.

Most people are embarrassed to mention incontinence to their doctors. Some people believe that incontinence is a normal part of aging. However, incontinence, even incontinence that has been present for some time or that occurs in an older person, may be helped by treatment. If symptoms of urinary incontinence are bothersome, interfere with activities of daily living, or cause people to curtail their social activities, people should see a doctor.

Which Professional Should I Consult

Healthcare professional should aim to detect and provide information about incontinence problems. It could be either a family doctor or specialist in general gynaecology or urology that diagnoses the type of urinary incontinence and indicates the initial treatment.

Gynaecology and urology departments include professionals who are experts in pelvic floor disorders. A urogynaecologist is a doctor who specialises in gynaecology or urology and is either preferentially or exclusively dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of pelvic floor disorders, such as incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

Many medical centres currently have urogynaecology units where gynaecologists, urologists, nurses and other specialists work in collaboration to provide comprehensive attention to women with these health problems.

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What If All The Screening Test Results Come Back Normal

If all the tests results come back normal, then the inappropriate urination may be due to:

A) Behavioral problems including:

• Submissive urination. A puppy that rolls on its back and urinates is being submissive. It usually happens when the puppy is approached by a larger dog or an adult member of the family.
• Territorial marking. If there are multiple pets in the household, competition between animals may lead one or more of them to urinate inappropriately to mark their territory.
• Cats and their litter boxes. Some cats prefer not to use a dirty litter box and may urinate elsewhere. Male cats with a history of painful urinary blockage may associate pain with using the litter box and will choose to urinate somewhere else.

B) Hormone responsive urinary incontinence. In this condition, there is a slow, involuntary leaking of urine from the bladder when the pet is lying down or sleeping. It is usually seen in older spayed female dogs and is associated decreasing levels of estrogen in the blood, which causes weakening of the muscles that control urination.

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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What Causes Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence can occur in men and women due to several different causes. These causes may include:

Weakened muscles: The sphincter muscles that control the exit of urine from your bladder can get weakened over time. This may happen in females during or after pregnancy. Men can also experience this condition after the removal of the prostate gland. Weakened pelvic muscles can also be a contributing factor.

Blockage: External blockage of the urinary tract can also cause disturbance in emptying your bladder. In men, it often happens due to benign prostate hyperplasia .

Stress: This refers to external stress in which your abdomen contracts or spasms during laughing, coughing, sneezing, etc. Pregnant women often experience this because of extra pressure on their abdominal walls and bladder due to fetal growth.

Overactive bladder: This is most often observed in children, leading to frequent bedwetting. But it has been noticed in adults too due to overactive muscles of the urinary bladder.

Medical conditions: Patients with brain diseases such as stroke, Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, etc., often lose voluntary control over their bladder, which causes urinary incontinence. This can also result due to infections, diabetes, BPH, etc.

Functional incontinence: Difficulty in going to the toilet due to functional impairment or disability is another cause. For example, if you have a fractured leg, you may not be able to empty your bladder on your own upon urge.

Basic Evaluation Of Stress Urinary Incontinence

When women are evaluated for SUI, counseling about treatment should begin with conservative options. The minimum evaluation before primary midurethral sling surgery in women with symptoms of SUI includes the following six steps: 1) history, 2) urinalysis, 3) physical examination, 4) demonstration of stress incontinence, 5) assessment of urethral mobility, and 6) measurement of postvoid residual urine volume.

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Urinary Incontinence In Adults

Have you ever suffered from an episode of bladder leaks as an adult but kept it hidden because it may be embarrassing? You dont have to be. Urinary incontinence or bladder leaks are frequent among adults and often result from multiple underlying causes.

Many adults fail to discuss this matter with their close ones or healthcare specialists due to the risk of being socially embarrassed. It is important to understand that urinary incontinence can be managed with proper counseling and professional help.