What Can Cause Lack Of Bladder Control

Is There Surgery For Bladder Control Problems

Urinary incontinence – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, pathology

Surgery for urinary incontinence either corrects an anatomical problem or implants a device to alter bladder muscle function.

Most people do not need surgery, but most of those who have surgery become dry.
Like any surgery, these procedures do not work on everyone. A small number of people are not completely dry after surgery.
Like all surgery, these operations can have complications.
Each of these procedures is appropriate only for a certain type or types of incontinence.
A urogynecologist or urologist can advise you about which, if any, might work for you.

Types of operations used in people with incontinence include the following:

Altering the position of the bladder neck, which can change how urine is released from the bladder
Repairing or supporting severely weakened pelvic floor muscles
Removal of a blockage
Implantation of a sling around the urethra
Implantation of a device that stimulates the nerves to increase awareness of the need to urinate
Injection of a naturally occurring material called collagen around the urethra
Injection of Botox into the bladder muscle using a cystoscope
Surgical placement of an artificial urinary sphincter
Enlargement of the bladder

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What The Caregiver Can Do

Encourage or help the patient with appropriate skin care after using the bathroom. Use warm water and pat the area dry.
Help the patient keep a diary that records specific foods or drinks that may affect how frequently the patient goes to the bathroom.
Help the patient maintain a bladder or bowel plan.
Encourage the patient to go to the bathroom at consistent time frames during the day, like after a meal.
Encourage regular daily exercise, as permitted by the health care team.

What Causes Daytime Wetting In Children

Daytime wetting in children is commonly caused by holding urine too long, constipation, or bladder systems that dont work together smoothly. Health problems can sometimes cause daytime wetting, too, such as bladder or kidney infections , structural problems in the urinary tract, or nerve problems.

When children hold their urine too long, it can trigger problems in how the bladder works or make existing problems worse. These bladder problems include:

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Diagnosis Of Lack Of Bladder Control In Dogs

The diagnosis will start with an evaluation of your dogs age, overall health, and most importantly if your dog has been spayed or neutered. You need to let the veterinarian know when and how the symptoms presented themselves, your dogs water intake, how often your dog urinates intentionally, and any other symptoms. This will help give the veterinarian a lead on possible causes.

Next, a urine sample will be analyzed for bacterial culture, presence of infection, and concentration. A chemical blood test will be performed in order to determine find any kidney or another disease. If the urinary tract needs to be examined, the veterinarian may conduct an x-ray and/or ultrasound, which may or may not require consuming dye to show the route of urine through your dogs urinary tract.

What Is The Treatment For Bladder Control Problems

Many people who have incontinence do not seek treatment because they believe the only treatment available to them is surgery. This is a misconception treatments for incontinence include behavioral, medical, and surgical approaches.

Generally, behavioral therapies are the first choice because they are noninvasive and have no side effects, they are the safest. A variety of medical treatments are available. Surgery is usually reserved for people whose problem does not improve with behavioral and medical therapy.

Your overall medical condition, the type of bladder control problem you have, and your lifestyle will all determine which treatments are right for you. Talk to your health-care provider together you can come up with a treatment plan that works for you.

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How Can Neurogenic Bladder Affect Your Life

The symptoms of neurogenic bladder can seriously affect your quality of life. They may make it difficult for you to get through your day without interruptions. You may feel afraid to go out with friends, take vacations or do everyday things. You may be afraid you may not be able to find a bathroom when you need one. Some people begin to cancel activities and withdraw from their lives. Neurogenic bladder may affect your work and your relationships. You may feel tired, depressed, anxious and lonely. If you are experiencing incontinence, the leaking urine can sometimes cause skin problems or infections.

Keeping A Bathroom Journal

You may be asked to keep a bathroom journal before or after your appointment. In your journal, youll log all your bathroom trips and bladder leakage or issues. It can also be helpful to record what you eat and drink in your bladder journal. This record will help your doctor get a more accurate idea of your symptoms and how often they occur. Keeping a journal can also determine what triggers your need to pee or any accidents.

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How Is Urinary Incontinence Diagnosed

Your health care provider may use many tools to make a diagnosis:

A medical history, which includes asking about your symptoms. Your provider may ask you to keep a bladder diary for a few days before your appointment. The bladder diary includes how much and when you drink liquids, when and how much you urinate, and whether you leak urine.
A physical exam, which can include a rectal exam. Women may also get a pelvic exam.
Urine and/or blood tests

Common Causes Of Urinary Incontinence In Men

What Causes Incontinence – Bladder Control Problems In Men And Women

Other common causes of incontinence in men are nerve and muscle control problems. There is a muscle at the opening of your bladder called the urinary sphincter. This muscle allows you to open and close your bladder. Anything that affects the nerve or muscle function of your sphincter can cause incontinence.

Spinal injury. Spinal cord injuries affect nearly 18,000 Americans each year, and more than 80% of them are men. Nerve signals between the bladder and the spine go and come very low in the spine, so any severe injury to the spine is likely to cause incontinence. An injury to the upper part of the spine can cause the bladder to empty uncontrollably. This condition is called spastic bladder. An injury lower in the spine can cause the bladder to fill and stretch without being able to empty. This condition is called flaccid bladder.

Temporary causes of incontinence. You can also have temporary episodes of urinary incontinence. These can be caused by drinking too much caffeine or alcohol, being constipated, having a urinary tract infection, or being depressed. Medications are another possible cause. These medications include over-the-counter cold medications that contain antihistamines or decongestants, diuretics used to treat high blood pressure, and some medications used to treat depression.

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Severe Oab Symptoms And Complete Loss Of Bladder Control

My case is rather extreme as I go through approximately 4-10 diapers per day sometimes even more than that. It really just depends on the day. I do drink a lot of water because Im on a medication that causes extreme thirst. Approx 3-4 liters per day. I usually lose complete control of my bladder just about every time the urge hits. And it often hits out of nowhere. I also suffer from my bladder not fully evacuating. Meds dont work. The Botox injections only help for a short time and very little at that. Im only 38 years old and have struggled with OAB for approximately 10 years. I get so embarrassed because a lot of times diapers wont hold enough when I lose full control and it leaks considerably and through my clothes.

Other Types Of Urinary Incontinence

Overflow incontinence This occurs when a person is unable to empty their bladder completely and it overflows as new urine is produced. It’s often found in people with diabetes or spinal cord injuries.
Mixed incontinence You show evidence of more than one type.
Functional incontinence This type of incontinence has less to do with a bladder disorder and more to do with the logistics of getting to a bathroom in time. It’s usually found in elderly or disabled people who have normal or near normal bladder control but cannot get to the toilet in time because of mobility limitations or confusion.
Nocturia The need to urinate twice or more during the night, usually affecting men and women over the age of 60. In men, nocturia can be a symptom of an enlarged prostate.

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What You Need To Know

Issues with urinating or passing stools are referred to as bladder and bowel dysfunction.
Bladder and bowel problems often originate with nerve or muscle dysfunction, as these systems control the flow of urine and the release of stool.
Other health issues may cause bladder and/or bowel dysfunction, including medicinal side effects, stress, neurologic diseases, diabetes, hemorrhoids and pelvic floor disorders.
Therapy and management for these conditions can range from dietary changes and exercise to electrical stimulation and surgery depending on individual diagnosis.

Bladder or bowel incontinence means a problem holding in urine or stool. You may have unwanted passage of urine or stool that you cant control. These conditions can be stressful to deal with. But dont feel embarrassed about talking to your healthcare provider. They are used to dealing with these issues, and can help you manage the problem.

Try To Prevent Constipation

Constipation causes the colon to swell and strain because of increased abdominal muscle pressure. This can adversely affect the bladder muscles and may also increase the frequency and severity of OAB symptoms.

Eating more fiber, getting regular exercise, and staying hydrated can help prevent constipation. In addition, there are certain yoga poses including the Crescent Lunge, Cobra, and Legs up the Wall that can help relieve constipation and promote healthy bowel movements.

Those who experience chronic constipation should talk with a doctor to learn more about other ways to help manage their constipation more effectively, such as by taking medications or trying physical therapy.

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Treatment Options For Stress Incontinence

Women with stress incontinence issues most often will first be referred to a physical therapist who specializes in women’s health. The therapist will coach on how to conduct Kegel exercises to strengthen pelvic floor muscles to work more effectively and efficiently. Should that strategy fail to improve symptoms after six months, the next step is to consider other treatment options.

Surgical options are available when other therapies fail. The most commonly utilized surgical procedure with a high success rate is the midurethral sling. The sling procedure utilizes a synthetic mesh material that is positioned to replace the damaged fibromuscular sling support under the midsegment of the urethra and re-establishes the continence mechanism. The procedure carries an 85 to 95 percent success rate with mesh complications reported at 3 percent. The sling procedure is considered minor surgery. Patients often are discharged home the same day with minor limitations.

Why Is It So Difficult To Talk About Bladder Control

Millions of men and women suffer from loss of bladder control. Bladder incontinence is twice as common in women because pregnancy, childbirth and menopause can affect pelvic muscle strength and damage nerves that control the bladder.

Many people feel embarrassed or ashamed to talk about their bladder control problems, yet many effective treatments are available. Your doctor may not ask about urinary function during an exam, so you should speak up if you are struggling with bladder control issues.

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How Do I Do Kegel Exercises

To do Kegels:

Lie down. It may be easier to learn how to do Kegels correctly while lying down. You dont have to lie down once you learn to do Kegels correctly.

Squeeze the muscles in your genital area as if you were trying to stop the flow of urine or passing gas. Try not to squeeze the muscles in your belly or legs at the same time. Try to squeeze only the pelvic muscles. Be extra careful not to tighten your stomach, legs, or buttocks .

Relax.Squeeze the muscles again and hold for 3 seconds. Then relax for 3 seconds. Work up to 3 sets of 10 each day.

Practice Kegels anywhere. When your muscles get stronger, try doing Kegels while sitting or standing. You can do these exercises at any time, such as while sitting at your desk or in the car, waiting in line, or doing the dishes. Dont do Kegel exercises at the same time you are urinating. This can weaken your pelvic floor muscles over time.10

If you are uncomfortable or uncertain about doing Kegel exercises on your own, a doctor or nurse can also teach you how to do Kegels. A pelvic floor physical therapist or other specialist may also be available in your area to help teach you how to strengthen these muscles.

Managing Bladder Or Urinary Incontinence

Urinary Incontinence (Stress, Urge, Overflow & Functional) | Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

Sometimes urinary incontinence can last a short time, depending on whats causing it. But sometimes incontinence can be long-term and uncomfortable, making some everyday activities difficult to manage.

Your health care team will ask you questions to determine the type of bladder incontinence you might have. Then, you might need tests to verify the type and learn the cause of it which will help them know the best way to manage it.

Pelvic floor muscle strengthening may be recommended. A physical therapist that specializes in pelvic floor muscle exercises can help. This might help muscle strength and bladder control get better by doing exercises that tighten and relax muscles that control the flow of urine.
Bladder training canhelp manage how often you need to urinate throughout the day, by assigning certain time intervals to empty your bladder.

Symptoms Of Urinary Incontinence:

When finding it hard to control your bladder, you may experience any of the following symptoms:

Leaking urine when you laugh, sneeze, exercise or cough.
An unexpected, powerful urge to urinate that you cannot control results in leakage before getting to the toilet.
Some women may also experience spasms in the pelvic region, bedwetting, or a continuous need to go to the bathroom more than eight times in 24 hours.

Alternative And Complementary Therapies

The treatment of urinary incontinence varies depending on the cause of the bladder control problem. In most cases, a physician will try the simplest treatment approach before resorting to medication or surgery.

Bladder habit training This is the first approach for treating most incontinence issues. The goal is to establish a regular urination schedule with set intervals between urination. A doctor will usually recommend urinating at one-hour intervals and gradually increasing the intervals between urination over time.

Pelvic muscle exercises Also called Kegel exercises , this exercise routine helps strengthen weak pelvic muscles and improve bladder control.

The person contracts the muscles used to keep in urine, holds the contraction for 4 to 10 seconds, then relaxes the muscles for the same amount of time.

It may take weeks or months of regular pelvic exercise to show improvement.

Another way to perform Kegel exercises is to interrupt the flow of urine for several seconds while urinating.

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What Are The Treatments For Urinary Incontinence

Treatment depends on the type and cause of your UI. You may need a combination of treatments. Your provider may first suggest self-care treatments, including:

Lifestyle changes to reduce leaks:
Drinking the right amount of liquid at the right time
Being physically active
Staying at a healthy weigh
Avoiding constipation

Bladder training. This involves urinating according to a schedule. Your provider makes a schedule from you, based on information from your bladder diary. After you adjust to the schedule, you gradually wait a little longer between trips to the bathroom. This can help stretch your bladder so it can hold more urine.

Doing exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. Strong pelvic floor muscles hold in urine better than weak muscles. The strengthening exercises are called Kegel exercises. They involve tightening and relaxing the muscles that control urine flow.

If these treatments do not work, your provider may suggest other options such as:

Medicines, which can be used to
Relax the bladder muscles, to help prevent bladder spasms
Block nerve signals that cause urinary frequency and urgency
In men, shrink the prostate and improve urine flow

Medical devices, including

A catheter, which is a tube to carry urine out of the body. You might use one a few times a day or all the time.

Bulking agents, which are injected into the bladder neck and urethra tissues to thicken them. This helps close your bladder opening so you have less leaking.

Overview And Facts About Male Urinary Incontinence

Male urinary incontinence, or the involuntary loss of bladder control, affects between 2 and 15 percent of men ages 15 to 64 and 5 to 15 percent of men over 60 not living at a senior assisted living facility.

The four main types of male urinary incontinence are:

Stress urinary incontinence, which is due to weak pelvic floor muscles allowing urine to escape.
Urge incontinence, which is characterized by the intense need to urinate that often cannot be controlled.
Overflow incontinence, which occurs when more urine is made than the bladder can hold or when the bladder is full and cannot empty, thereby causing urine leakage.
Mixed incontinence, which is a combination of stress and urge incontinence.

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