Tuesday, March 26, 2024

What To Do For A Leaking Bladder

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Pelvic Floor Ball Squeeze

How to Control Bladder Leaks and Get ‘The Knack’

Sit up straight in a sturdy chair with your head lifted and your chin parallel to the ground, shoulders in line with your hips. Place an exercise ball between your thighs. Squeeze the ball and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat 10 times. For a challenge, sit up without leaning back against the chair, Andrews says. This will help strengthen the inner thighs and the abdominal muscles, which intertwine with those pelvic floor muscles and can contribute to better bladder control, Howe says.

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Living With Bowel Or Bladder Incontinence

There is no single, right way to cope with bladder or bowel incontinence. The challenge is to find what is best for your situation, so you can get the help you need and return to a normal daily life. Talk with your health care team if you notice a change in bowel or bladder habits, and about the best ways to manage incontinence, if it is a problem. You might find it helpful to talk with other people who are dealing with incontinence, too. Ask a member of your cancer care team about support groups in your area.

Here are some things you can do that may help make incontinence less of a problem:

  • Empty your bladder every 3 to 4 hours while awake, to avoid accidents.
  • Empty your bladder before bedtime or before strenuous activity.
  • Limit drinks with caffeine, or and avoid alcohol and citrus juices, which can irritate the bladder and make you have to go more often.
  • Avoid hygiene products that may irritate you Women should avoid feminine spray or over-the-counter vaginal suppositories.
  • Because belly fat can push on the bladder, avoiding weight gain or losing needed weight sometimes helps improve bladder control.
  • Avoid tobacco use which can cause coughing and bladder irritation due to harmful substances in tobacco products.
  • Talk to your doctor about all medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements youre taking. Some may affect urine control.

Is To See Your Health Care Practitioner

Heres a list of medical experts who can all assist with urinary leakage from a number of different perspectives and in different ways:

  • General Practitioners can assess, diagnose and treat urinary leakage. They have varying levels of knowledge and experience with incontinence. Some may choose to refer you to a continence health professional rather than diagnose and treat your condition. In many cases it is important to involve your GP in your continence care as they have good knowledge of your health history, including any medical conditions, surgery or medications you may be on, which may increase your chances of developing continence issues.

  • Urologists have a combination of medical and surgical training who treat men and women with kidney, bladder, and urinary problems.

  • Gynecologists specialize in preventing and treating illnesses of the female reproductive organs. If you are incontinent, your general practitioner may refer you to a gynecologist for urinary incontinence treatment.

  • Urogynecologists are gynecologists who have undertaken further advanced specialist training to deal with the complexities of vaginal prolapse and types of bladder dysfunction including urinary leakage.

  • Pharmacists can offer advice on medications that may cause or aggravate incontinence. They may also be able to provide you with continence product advice, free information resources, and the details of local continence service providers.

  • Stages of Urinary incontinence

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    Why Do People Experience Leaking Urine

    Urinary incontinence is considered any unintentional loss of urine. It can happen anywhere from a few drops once a month to leakage multiple times a day, David Sheyn, MD, an ob-gyn/urologist in the Division of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at University Hospitals in Chardon, Ohio, tells Health. And the amount of urine you let out can be minor to moderate.

    There are different types of urinary incontinence:

    Treatment Of Leaking Urine In Dogs

    Leaky bladder

    Depending on the cause of the urinary leakage, treatment will vary. Antibiotics or other medications are commonly used for urinary tract infections, hormone depletion, and other diseases, surgery and dietary changes may be needed for bladder stones, and acupuncture, discontinuation of medications if they are causing side effects, or other treatments for underlying diseases may be necessary to treat the various causes of urinary leakage.

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    When It Hurts To Pee

    While this isnt incontinence, painful urination is not something you should overlook. A burning sensation when urinating is likely caused by a urinary tract infection that may lead to difficulties relating to leakage. It can also be from the dry or irritated skin around the urethra. Either way, get this checked out!

    What Can You Do To Relieve Urinary Incontinence

    Urinary incontinence almost never goes away on its own. But there are steps you can take to help relieve your symptoms.

    “Alleviating urinary incontinence starts with understanding which type of incontinence you’re experiencing and what’s causing it,” says Dr. Lindo. “A specialist such as a urogynecologist can help provide those answers for you, as well as help you understand which behavior modifications and other treatments will be most effective for alleviating your incontinence.”

    Weight loss almost always helps relieve urinary incontinence because it reduces the amount of pressure being placed on your pelvic floor. In fact, losing just 5 percent of your weight can improve your urinary symptoms by up to 70 percent.

    Similarly, pelvic floor exercises, such as Kegels, can help reduce symptoms of either type of incontinence. In the case of stress incontinence, pelvic floor exercises are a way to restrengthen your weakened muscles. For urge incontinence, these exercises can help calm and retrain your bladder.

    “For women experiencing stress incontinence after childbirth, sometimes weight loss and postnatal pelvic floor exercises are all it takes for symptoms to resolve over time,” adds Dr. Lindo.

    Depending on the type of incontinence you’re experiencing, your doctor may suggest trying additional modifications.

    Behavioral modifications for stress incontinence:

    • Weight loss
    • The use of a vaginal insert, such as a tampon, while exercising

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    How To Prevent A Leaky Bladder

    • Limit or avoid excess caffeine intake through coffee, tea, and carbonated beverages.
    • Perform Kegel exercises on regular basis to maintain strength of pelvic floor muscles.
    • Avoid fluid intake for several hours before bedtime.
    • Limit fluid intake throughout the day, but keep hydrated.
    • Avoid smoking as tobacco use increases risk of bladder cancer, which can cause bladder leaks.
    • Maintain a healthy weight as obesity can lead to bladder leakage.
    • Urinate after sexual intercourse to eliminate bacteria from the urethra.
    • Limit or avoid spicy foods, acidic foods, and artificial sweeteners, as they increase fluid output.
    • Use caution with diuretics to prevent bladder leakage from frequent urination.

    Diagnosing The Cause Of Leaking Urine In Dogs

    How To Fix a Urinary Dribble (Leaky Urinary Bladder Syndrome)

    If you suspect your dog is leaking urine you’ll want to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may ask you to collect a clean, free-catch urine sample from your dog while you are at home otherwise they will collect a sample at the clinic. A full physical examination alongside a medical history will be obtained in order to determine the potential causes of your dog’s urinary leakage. Sometimes a needle is inserted into your dog’s bladder during a quick procedure called a cystocentesis in order to obtain a sterile urine sample otherwise they may take your dog outside for a quick walk in order to catch some urine themselves if you didn’t bring a sample. A urinalysis will be performed with the urine to look for signs of infection or crystals in the urine and X-rays of the bladder may also be recommended. Depending on what is found on the physical examination and with these tests, your veterinarian may be able to make a diagnosis.

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    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.

    Causes Of Leaking Urine In Dogs

    Urine leakage is also referred to as urinary incontinence because your dog has no control over the urine that is leaking out of it. There are a few reasons why a dog may have urinary incontinence.

    • Hormone depletion – Estrogen depletion in spayed females and less commonly testosterone depletion in neutered males, can result in urinary incontinence.
    • Urinary tract infectionUTIs can cause irritation and inflammation and result in urine dribbling or incontinence.
    • Bladder stonesUroliths or bladder stones can cause urinary issues including incontinence.
    • Weak bladder muscles – Sometimes giving birth and other things can cause bladder muscles to weaken and cause urine leakage.
    • Congenital defects – Ectopic ureters and other malformations can result in urinary incontinence.
    • Nerve damage – If the spinal cord or nerves that affect bladder control are damaged then urinary incontinence can result.
    • Prostate diseaseMale dogs with prostate disease may develop urinary leakage.
    • Medication side effects – Various medications may cause your dog to leak urine.
    • Other diseases – Other issues and diseases may also result in urinary leakage or incontinence.

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    When To Seek Medical Help

    Any instance of incontinence is reason to seek medical help. It may be a symptom of a more serious condition that needs to be treated.

    Even if the underlying cause isnt serious, incontinence can be a major disruption in your life. Its important to get an accurate diagnosis and discuss treatment options with a healthcare professional.

    In some cases, incontinence can be a sign of a medical emergency.

    You should seek immediate medical attention if you lose control of your bladder and experience any of the following symptoms:

    • trouble speaking or walking

    Urinary incontinence and treatment for urinary incontinence may result in complications, depending on the cause.

    These complications may include:

    • Urinary tract infections. UTIs can be caused by wet undergarments against the skin. This may create an environment where bacteria can grow.
    • Kidney damage. In some cases where the flow of urine is obstructed, you may experience kidney trouble or kidney failure.
    • Cellulitis. This skin infection is caused by bacteria and may cause swelling and pain.
    • Medication side effects. Medications used to control urinary incontinence may cause side effects, depending on the medication. Side effects may include dry mouth, nausea, hypertension, or others.
    • Catheter side effects. If you have a catheter placed, you may experience side effects such as infection and trauma.
    • Mental health side effects. Urinary incontinence may cause feelings of anxiety, depression, or social isolation.

    What Causes Bladder Leakage In Women

    Do You Leak Urine When You Laugh, Sneeze Or Exercise? This Is What Its ...

    The three types of urinary incontinence and main causes of bladder leaking are:

    • Stress incontinence
    • Urge incontinence
    • Overflow incontinence

    Stress incontinence is the most common cause of bladder leakage in women and is the result of a weakened pelvic floor. The pelvic floor is the system of muscles and ligaments that form a basket of support for your bladder and uterus. The pelvic floor helps regulate the urinary sphincter, which controls the flow of urine out of the bladder. The pelvic floor can be weakened by life events such as pregnancy, childbirth or being overweight. Once weakened, any pressure â or stress â placed on the pelvic floor causes a small amount of urine to leave the bladder. This can be from coughing, laughing, sneezing, exercising or lifting objects.

    Urge incontinence , also known as overactive bladder or OAB, is the result of nerve damage to the nerves in and around the bladder, either as a result of a neurological disease like multiple sclerosis or Parkinsonâs or due to previous pelvic surgery or injury. This nerve damage means that the nerves and muscles in your bladder spasm and fire off too often, sending you on a mad dash to the bathroom. This means that your bladder signals that itâs time to go even when itâs not full. The urge to urinate then comes on suddenly and intensely, to the point that you often may not make it to the toilet in time to urinate.

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    Types Of Urinary Incontinence

    There are different types of incontinence:

    • Stress incontinence occurs when urine leaks as pressure is put on the bladder, such as during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects. Its the most common type of bladder control problem in younger and middle-aged women. It also may begin later, around the time of menopause.
    • Urge incontinence happens when people have a sudden need to urinate and cannot hold their urine long enough to get to the toilet. It may be a problem for people who have diabetes, Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke.
    • Overflow incontinence happens when small amounts of urine leak from a bladder that is always full. A man can have trouble emptying his bladder if an enlarged prostate is blocking the urethra. Diabetes and spinal cord injuries can also cause this type of incontinence.
    • Functional incontinence occurs in many older people who have normal bladder control. They just have a problem getting to the toilet because of arthritis or other disorders that make it hard to move quickly.

    Why Does Urinary Incontinence Happen

    There are two main types of urinary incontinence:

    • Stress incontinence
    • Urge incontinence

    “Stress incontinence occurs when your pelvic floor muscles the muscles that support your bladder and urethra weaken, either due to childbirth or over time,” says Dr. Lindo.

    If you’re experiencing stress incontinence, you might find yourself leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise or lift something heavy.

    “Urge incontinence, on the other hand, occurs when the bladder muscle squeezes to empty out urine when it is not supposed to. It may be due to the amount or type of fluids you drink, resulting in spasms,” explains Dr. Lindo. “Additionally, urgency incontinence can sometimes be a sign of a larger health complication, such as a bladder infection.”

    With urge incontinence, you likely experience an overwhelming, sudden need to urinate and leak urine before you can make it to the bathroom.

    “For many women the exact cause of their urge urinary incontinence is unknown,” adds Dr. Lindo. “However, there are many treatments that can help you manage symptoms.”

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    Does Pregnancy Cause Urinary Incontinence

    Pregnant women may have a small amount of urine leakage due to the pressure of the baby against the bladder and the muscles that support it. Usually, this leakage occurs when the woman coughs or sneezes. The problem generally goes away within three or four months after the baby is born. It is helpful if the woman does exercises, called Kegel exercises, to strengthen the muscles. Sometimes, women who have had children are more likely to develop incontinence when they get older due to weakening of the muscles that support the bladder. This is sometimes treated by medications, but surgery may be needed in some cases.

    Related Conditions And Causes Of Urinary Incontinence

    Female Bladder Leakage: Solutions to Get Controlâ | Christopher Tarnay, MD | UCLAMDChat

    Fecal incontinence is light to moderate bowel leakage due to diarrhea, constipation, or muscle or nerve damage.

    As described in the section above on causes of urinary incontinence, common conditions may contribute to chronic urinary incontinence, including: urinary tract infection , constipation, interstitial cystitis or other bladder conditions, nerve damage that affects bladder control, side effects from a prior surgery, and neurological disorders.

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    Absorbent Pads Catheters And Medical Devices

    If medical treatments cant completely eliminate your incontinence, you can try products that help ease the discomfort and inconvenience of leaking urine:

    • Pads and protective garments
    • Catheter
    • Pessaries and vaginal inserts a small device inserted into the vagina to help provide support to prevent leakage

    Will Urinary Incontinence Go Away On Its Own

    There’s no doubt that urinary incontinence affects your quality of life. Leakages can not only irritate your skin and cause embarrassment, but constantly worrying about when one might happen next can keep you from living your life. So much so that you might plan everything you do around whether there’s a bathroom nearby.

    It’s a very common problem affecting up to one in three women. If you’re experiencing urinary incontinence, you’re likely looking for answers. Specifically, what can you do to stop it?

    “Urinary incontinence is a loss of urine when you’re not actively trying to urinate,” explains Dr. Fiona Lindo, urogynecologist at Houston Methodist. “It can happen without you being aware or with physical exertion, such as exercise or even when simply standing up, coughing or laughing.”

    “Unfortunately, urinary incontinence isn’t likely to go away on its own. The good news, however, is that there are things that you can do on your own to improve it, and there are plenty of options for treating it,” adds Dr. Lindo.

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    When Should I See A Health Care Professional

    See a health care professional if you have symptoms of a bladder problem, such as trouble urinating, a loss of bladder control, waking to use the bathroom, pelvic pain, or leaking urine.

    Bladder problems can affect your quality of life and cause other health problems. Your health care professional may be able to treat your UI by recommending lifestyle changes or a change in medicine.

    What Is Urinary Incontinence Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment And Prevention

    Bladder leakage is a common problem, especially for women. It is not a ...

    Urinary incontinence , the involuntary loss of urine, is a very common condition that no one wants to talk about. Because of the stigma that surrounds it, many people are too humiliated to seek help. But most conditions that cause UI can be corrected with medical or alternative interventions.

    Occurring much more often in women than men, UI happens when the muscles in the bladder that control the flow of urine contract or relax involuntarily, resulting in leaks or uncontrolled urination. UI itself is not a disease, but it can be a symptom of an underlying medical issue.

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