About 13 million Americans experience urinary incontinence, and women are twice as likely as men to have this problem. Many assume there’s nothing they can do about it, or are so embarrassed by it that they never tell their doctors and the problem never gets fixed. Don’t let that happen to you.
As you get older, you may find that when you laugh or sneeze, a small amount of urine leaks out. Or your symptoms may be more severe. Incontinence occurs when the muscles in your bladder or pelvic floor are not strong enough to hold urine in. This can occur naturally as you age, or as the result of an injury or childbirth. But that doesn’t mean you should just “put up with it.” Incontinence of many kinds can be treated.
First, your doctor may use tests to help determine the cause and type of your incontinence. Then, they can recommend a treatment plan to relieve your symptoms.
Several types of medications are often used to treat incontinence. The most popular medications suppress normal and involuntary bladder contractions, which can be helpful for patients experiencing a frequent or urgent need to urinate. In other cases, behavioral therapy can be effective. This includes treatments such as bladder training, biofeedback and pelvic muscle exercises called Kegel exercises. (Bonus: Kegel exercises may help prevent or treat some other pelvic problems as well.)
Simple therapies and modifications can immediately improve incontinence problems.
Some symptom-relieving steps include:
Your healthcare provider at Riverview Health can help determine the best treatment plan for you. Don’t let embarrassment hold you back. Incontinence is often temporary and easily fixed. With a little effort, you can get back to enjoying your life worry-free.
Has it been a while since your last check-up, or do you need a new physician? Call us at 317.565.0535 to request an appointment.
Sources: NLM.NIH.gov
