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What Can You Do For Bladder Leakage

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Managing Bladder Or Urinary Incontinence

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Sometimes urinary incontinence can last a short time, depending on what’s 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.

Behavioral And Lifestyle Changes For Bladder Leakage Treatment

Bladder leakage treatment is based on the underlying cause and type of urine incontinence. Both men and women may face similar challenges within the treatment plan that may include urgency suppression, bladder training, and lifestyle changes.

A treatment plan usually begins with behavioral and lifestyle changes such as exercises for leaky bladder. Medications may be required alongside behavioral tasks to reduce muscle spasms or health conditions such as prostate enlargement. In severe cases, surgical procedures may be necessary.

When You Should See A Health Care Professional

You shouldnt have to wear a pad to soak up urine every day. Also ask yourself these questions:

  • Is the urge to urinate interfering with your work because of leaking or frequent bathroom breaks?

  • Do you map out where bathrooms are when you run errands?

  • Is incontinence interfering with your sex life or intimacy with your partner?

These are all signs of a problem, and that it may be time for you to talk with a gynecologist.

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How To Handle Urinary Incontinence After Childbirth

Women who expect to leave all the pregnancy aches and pains behind them after childbirth soon find that postpartum symptoms can be almost just as bad.

These effects can take their tole in different ways and can last up to 6 weeks or longer. Soreness, depression, bleeding, fatigue, and constipation are just a few of the unpleasant outcomes women may experience after giving birth. One of the most common complaints from women is how to handle symptoms of urinary incontinence in the weeks following childbirth. Lets explore some answers.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Or Therapy

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Exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor, commonly known as Kegel exercises, can be extremely effective for both types of UI.

If Kegels arent enough, pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation programs are another common treatment option for women with incontinence.

One research review found that women with stress incontinence responded positively to pelvic floor muscle training , with a decrease in leakage episodes. PFMT involves increasing pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance, power, and relaxation.

Typically, urology offices will have specially trained staff such as a pelvic floor physical therapist or nurse. These staff members can help teach women how to strengthen their pelvic floor and reduce incontinence.

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What Treatment Options Are Available If Urinary Incontinence Still Wont Go Away

Seeing a urogynecologist as early as possible can help ensure that you have a complete understanding of your condition and treatments options.

Both stress and urgency incontinence typically respond well to behavioral modifications, but if things are not improving, its best to get evaluated, says Dr. Lindo. This is why I always recommend seeing a specialist about your condition right away. You never want to play the guessing game with your health, especially when your condition affects your quality of life.

In addition, your doctor can recommend a pelvic floor physical therapy program. While Kegels can play an important role in alleviating urinary incontinence, Dr. Lindo says theyre performed incorrectly more than 80 percent of the time.

An incorrect Kegel will not help correct urinary incontinence, warns Dr. Lindo. Seeing a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor exercises can help ensure youre performing Kegels and other exercises correctly and truly strengthening your pelvic floor.

And if your condition continues to progress or worsen, your urogynecologist has expertise to perform testing and recommend a range of urinary incontinence treatment options and procedures that can help to correct your condition and address your specific situation.

Bladder Incontinence In Women

Bladder incontinence is more common in women than in men. Other than the possible causes listed above, some things that may increase risk of bladder incontinence in women are:

  • Changes to urinary or vaginal tissue from hormone therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy
  • Hormonal changes from menopause
  • Pelvic prolapse – the bladder, uterus, and or rectum may slip backward or downward into the vaginal canal because of weak pelvic wall muscles

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When Should You See A Doctor For Leaking Urine

Incontinence is common but not normal, says Sapienza. “I think suffer in silence thinking that they can’t get help, but it is treatable,” she says.

Some patients aren’t concerned with a few leaks here or there, and if it’s truly not bothering you, then you likely don’t need to see anyone, says Dr. Sheyn.

However, if you’re altering your life in order to manage symptoms, then talk to a doctor. For instance, maybe when you go to a new place, you immediately scout out a bathroom to make sure you know where to dash off to if the time comes. Or maybe you decline invitations out because you can’t be sure of the bathroom situation. Maybe you live in black leggings to hide urine leaks, something that patients often tell Sapienza they do.

You should also talk to your doctor if you’re leaking urine frequently. Besides the impact it can have on your social, work, and personal relationships, regular urinary incontinence can also lead to physical complications like skin problemsrashes, skin infections, and sores can develop from constantly wet skinand urinary tract infections. There’s this too: Chronic incontinence might be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, and that’s something you’d want to get checked out.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises

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Also known as Kegel exercises, these exercises are especially effective for stress incontinence but may also help urge incontinence. To do pelvic floor muscle exercises, imagine that youre trying to stop your urine flow. Then:

  • Tighten the muscles you would use to stop urinating and hold for five seconds, and then relax for five seconds.
  • Work up to holding the contractions for 10 seconds at a time.
  • Aim for at least three sets of 10 repetitions each day.

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Medications For Urinary Incontinence

If medications are used, this is usually in combination with other techniques or exercises.

The following medications are prescribed to treat urinary incontinence:

  • Anticholinergics calm overactive bladders and may help patients with urge incontinence.
  • Topical estrogen may reinforce tissue in the urethra and vaginal areas and lessen some of the symptoms.
  • Imipramine is a tricyclic antidepressant.

Bladder And Bowel Incontinence

Incontinence is a loss of control of a person’s bowels or bladder which can cause accidental leakage of body fluids and waste. Incontinence can be more than a physical problem. It can disrupt your quality of life if its not managed well.

Fear, anxiety, and anger are common feelings for people dealing with incontinence. You may avoid being intimate or having sex because you are afraid of urine, gas, or stool leakage. Fear of having an accident may keep you from being physically active, enjoying hobbies, or spending extended time outside your home.

Anyone can have incontinence during and after surgery or some other treatments for cancer. Incontinence can also occur because of other non-cancer medical conditions. Be sure to talk to your health care team if you have difficulty controlling urination or bowels. Talking about incontinence can be embarrassing, but being open and honest with your health care team can help manage it.

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What Treatment Options Are Available If Urinary Incontinence Still Won’t Go Away

Seeing a urogynecologist as early as possible can help ensure that you have a complete understanding of your condition and treatments options.

“Both stress and urgency incontinence typically respond well to behavioral modifications, but if things are not improving, it’s best to get evaluated,” says Dr. Lindo. “This is why I always recommend seeing a specialist about your condition right away. You never want to play the guessing game with your health, especially when your condition affects your quality of life.”

In addition, your doctor can recommend a pelvic floor physical therapy program. While Kegels can play an important role in alleviating urinary incontinence, Dr. Lindo says they’re performed incorrectly more than 80 percent of the time.

“An incorrect Kegel will not help correct urinary incontinence,” warns Dr. Lindo. “Seeing a physical therapist who specializes in pelvic floor exercises can help ensure you’re performing Kegels and other exercises correctly and truly strengthening your pelvic floor.”

And if your condition continues to progress or worsen, your urogynecologist has expertise to perform testing and recommend a range of urinary incontinence treatment options and procedures that can help to correct your condition and address your specific situation.

It Could Be A Sign Of An Underlying Condition

What Causes Bladder Leakage in Women?

Naturally, later in life, people can experience incontinence because of increased production of urine related to aging kidneys. Bladder function is also heavily impacted by changing bladder capacity and chronic medical conditions like diabetes, says Fairchild. Chronic straining, coughing and/or constipation can all put stress on the bladder, she explains.

But leakage can also be sign of a more serious, underlying health condition, according to a 2018 National Poll on Healthy Aging.” For example, poor heart function could be the culprit behind frequent urination while sleeping.

If fluid is pooling in your legs during the day, when you lay down, that fluid redistributes and increases urine production, says Fairchild.

Although bladder leakage is common, discuss your particular symptoms with your doctor.

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The 4 Types Of Urinary Incontinence And How They Are Diagnosed

If youve ever leaked urine or had trouble getting to the bathroom quickly enough, youre not alone. Almost half of all women leak urine at some point in their lives a condition known as urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence can be frustrating and embarrassing. Fortunately, treatment can make a difference. At Virtuosa GYN in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Susan Crockett offers patients with urinary incontinence a full range of treatment options, from lifestyle changes and exercise to medication and surgery.

To give you a better understanding of your condition, Dr. Crockett offers the following information about the main types of urinary incontinence, along with details about what causes them and how they are diagnosed and treated.

Limit Caffeine And Alcohol

Caffeine and alcohol have a diuretic effect on your body. That means they increase the amount of urine you produce. If youre having trouble controlling your bladder, consuming caffeinated beverages may be contributing to the problem.

To help manage your symptoms, consider limiting caffeine and alcohol, or avoiding them altogether. Coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, and certain medications are common sources of caffeine.

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Urinary Incontinence In Older Adults

Urinary incontinence means a person leaks urine by accident. While it can happen to anyone, urinary incontinence, also known as overactive bladder, is more common in older people, especially women. Bladder control issues can be embarrassing and cause people to avoid their normal activities. But incontinence can often be stopped or controlled.

What happens in the body to cause bladder control problems? Located in the lower abdomen, the bladder is a hollow organ that is part of the urinary system, which also includes the kidneys, ureters, and urethra. During urination, muscles in the bladder tighten to move urine into the tube-shaped urethra. At the same time, the muscles around the urethra relax and let the urine pass out of the body. When the muscles in and around the bladder dont work the way they should, urine can leak, resulting in urinary incontinence.

Incontinence can happen for many reasons, including urinary tract infections, vaginal infection or irritation, or constipation. Some medications can cause bladder control problems that last a short time. When incontinence lasts longer, it may be due to:

  • Weak bladder or pelvic floor muscles
  • Overactive bladder muscles
  • Damage to nerves that control the bladder from diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, or Parkinsons disease
  • Diseases such as arthritis that may make it difficult to get to the bathroom in time

Most incontinence in men is related to the prostate gland. Male incontinence may be caused by:

When To Contact A Medical Professional

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Talk to your provider about incontinence. Providers who treat incontinence are gynecologists and urologists that specialize in this problem. They can find the cause and recommend treatments.

  • Difficulty talking, walking, or speaking
  • Sudden weakness, numbness, or tingling in an arm or leg
  • Loss of consciousness or confusion
  • Loss of bowel control
  • Cloudy or bloody urine
  • Frequent or urgent need to urinate
  • Pain or burning when you urinate
  • Trouble starting your urine flow

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Who Develops Incontinence

Women are far more likely than men to have urinary incontinence. You are likely to develop it during or after pregnancy, when hormonal changes and pressure in your pelvic area interfere with your bladders ability to work well.

You may also have trouble with urinary incontinence later in life. The hormonal changes of menopause and age-related weakening of the pelvic floor muscles can impact your bladder. And having health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, and chronic constipation can also increase your odds of having incontinence.

There are four main types of urinary incontinence.

Drink Wine And Eat Cheese

The risk of urinary tract infections can increase significantly after menopause due to hormonal fluctuations.

To lower it, try to enjoy wine and cheese more often.

A study published in the journal Clinical Microbiology and Infection suggests that the beneficial bacteria in cheese may reduce the risk of UTIs, and the Italian study Drugs Under Experimental and Clinical Research found that on the island of Pantelleria, where wine consumption is common, the incidence of chronic bacterial urinary infection in participants was 30 percent lower than the national average.

But remember, if you already have a urinary tract infection, drinking alcohol is not recommended because it can increase the acidity of your urine and actually make your symptoms worse.

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Exercise The Muscles Of The Pelvic Floor

Try strengthening your pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises, also known as “inhale and squeeze.”

A clinical study, the results of which were published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, showed that female participants who spent time using pelvic floor muscle training were able to reduce the urinary incontinence that bothered them.

What shall I do

Take a deep breath through your nose.

As your lungs fill, tense your pelvic floor muscles – the ones you’d use if you were trying to stop urinating – then slowly exhale.

Repeat the exercise several times.

Bladder Leakage Solutions Treatments & Remedies

How to Reduce Urinary Incontinence: All You Need to Know

Just because you experience bladder control issues does not mean you must resign yourself to embarrassing accidents. Here are tips to prevent and protect yourself from bladder leaks:

1. Stay on a scheduleMake a drink scheduleThough it may be tempting to drastically limit fluid intake for fear of leaking urine, this is not advised. Donât limit fluids to the point of dehydration. Instead, drink prescribed amounts throughout the day in order to avoid overstressing your bladder with a large amount of fluid all at once.

Make a âgoâ scheduleKeeping your bladder empty will go a long way in reducing little bladder leaks throughout the day. Use the bathroom on a fixed schedule, say every two hours. Be sure to go whether or not you feel the need to. That way you can reduce your chances of a bladder leak if you find yourself laughing, coughing, or lifting with a full bladder.

2. Get movingLosing weight can help ease bladder leakage by removing one of its root causes â being overweight. Even a daily walk around the block to get moving can go a long way in shedding some extra pounds. Learn more about how obesity and diabetes can cause incontinence and bladder leakage.

If you want to find out more, read our complete guide on pelvic floor exercises.

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How To Do Kegels The Right Way

Around 50% of people who try to do kegels actually push out with their pelvic floor muscles instead of pulling in, Rabin says, which wont help them get stronger. To learn the proper motion, she says to stop your stream while using the bathroom thats a kegel. You shouldnt do this often, as it can lead to bladder infections, but you can try them any other time youre sitting down.

Seated in a chair, imagine you want to stop urine flow by drawing your pelvic floor upward, says Barbora Vystejnova, MS, PT, DPT, PRPC, womens health physical therapist for Baptist Health Jacksonville. Feel the squeeze. Hold for five seconds , and then fully relax between each contraction. Do 10 repetitions, three times a day. You can also add 15 reps per day of quick pelvic floor contractions without the hold in between.

A lot of times people may not know exactly how to do kegels. Pelvic floor contractions are actually really gentle, and if you do kegels properly, no other muscles around them should be able to tell youre doing them, says Valerie Adams, PT, DPT, womens health physical therapist at Duke Health.

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