FYI

Found at: The Beacon News

Urinary incontinence affects millions of Americans. Unfortunately, many people do not seek help or treatment and live with this often embarrassing condition.

Because of differences in the pelvic region and childbirth, women are more likely than men to have issues with urinary incontinence. However, men can suffer from urinary incontinence. Three types of urinary incontinence are stress, urge and overflow incontinence.

Stress incontinence is urine leakage that happens during activity that causes pressure on the bladder such as laughing, lifting, coughing or sneezing. Stress incontinence is often seen in women who have had multiple pregnancies and vaginal childbirths, or who have pelvic organ prolapse. Urge incontinence or overactive bladder, is urine leakage that is an involuntary loss of urine following an urge to urinate that cannot be halted. Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder does not empty properly and is characterized by the constant dribbling of urine and small frequent voids.

To help you determine if you have a bladder control problem ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you frequently have a strong, sudden urge to urinate?

• Do you sometimes not make it to the bathroom in time?

• Do you go to the bathroom more than eight times in 24 hours?

• Do you get up two or more times through the night to urinate?

• Do you experience a loss of urine during physical exertion?

• Do you experience a loss of urine when you sneeze or laugh?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, you may have a treatable condition.

Treatment of urinary incontinence includes both non-surgical and surgical options. Most bladder control problems can be successfully treated without surgery. Some things that people can do to include:

Keep a bladder diary — Bladder diaries help show the causes of bladder control trouble by tracking when and what triggers your bladder weakness.

Modify your diet — Identify fluid and food issues that can alter your bladder function. For example, reducing caffeine or quitting smoking can help reduce how often you have incontinence problems.

Try pelvic floor exercises — Strengthening muscles that help hold the organs in place may help reduce stress and urge incontinence.

Biofeedback — Massage, exercise, water therapy and ultrasound help identify and correct musculoskeletal problems that contribute to pelvic pain or incontinence.

There are numerous medications, non-surgical and minimally invasive techniques available to help reduce incontinence. To help diagnose and treat your incontinence issue, consult a physician for a complete evaluation.

Dr. Brett J. Vassallo is a urogynecologist with Rush-Copley Comprehensive Pelvic Medicine and Continence Center in Aurora.