Urinary Incontinence: Causes And Treatment
JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER
Receive custom tools to help you manage your condition and get the latest in bladder and bowel health from NAFC!
Urinary Incontinence Overview
Urinary incontinence is defined as the involuntary loss of urine. Over 33 million Americans suffer from some type of urinary incontinence or bladder condition, a problem that often causes embarrassment for many. And while it is a very common problem, it should not be considered a “normal” one.
Many people do not realize that there are many different types of urinary incontinence or reasons that may cause you to leak urine. Some of the more common conditions are overactive bladder (OAB), urinary retention, mixed incontinence, and stress urinary incontinence. Watch the short video below, then read more about the different types of bladder leakage issues and click through to learn about symptoms, causes and treatment options.
Overactive Bladder & Urge Incontinence
When you feel the need to go and go right NOW, you may be dealing with an Overactive Bladder. If you cannot control the urge and bladder leakage occurs, that is what makes it urge incontinence. The good news is, in many cases this is a treatable condition and not merely something you have to deal with because of age.
Urinary Retention
In mild cases, urinary retention makes it difficult to start urination and the flow is weak. Once finished you often feel the need to go again because the bladder isn’t fully emptied. In more acute cases, the lower belly becomes distended causing great discomfort and pain. Despite the urge to go, urination is not possible.
Mixed Incontinence
As the name suggests, Mixed Incontinence is a combination of stress incontinence, including muscle and sphincter related issues, and urgency incontinence like those mentioned above. Usually one symptom is more severe than the other and that directly affects what methods will be most effective in treatment.
Stress Urinary Incontinence
A problem that affects both men and women, Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) occurs because of weak pelvic floor muscles and/or a deficient urethral sphincter. This weakness can cause the bladder to leak during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or any body movement that puts pressure on the bladder. Stress urinary incontinence often shows up after childbirth and menopause in women while prostate cancer treatment, such as radical prostatectomy, can trigger it in men.
Importantly, stress urinary incontinence can affect men and women differently. To learn more, visit these links:
RELATED ARTICLES
Patient Perspective: Samuel’s Story
How many of you men have incontinence? How many of you would admit if you did? It’s a hard thing to come to terms with
Ask The Doc: What Causes Incontinence In Men?
Question: Are There Other Things Besides Prostate Trouble That Can Cause Incontinence In Men? Answer: Prostate problems in men typically get the blame for incontinence
Maximizing Comfort and Efficacy: A Guide to Choosing Your FEUC
For women navigating the challenges of urinary incontinence (UI), Female External Urinary Catheters (FEUC) have emerged as a game-changer, offering freedom, and potentially improved quality of life. Yet, with various methods of attachment to the female anatomy available—(a) suction force, (b) adhesives, and (c) natural fit—selecting the right one can feel daunting.
Kegels For Stress Urinary Incontinence
Often, the right exercises, such as kegels, can help alleviate symptoms of urinary incontinence – no pills or surgery needed. Learn more about kegels, and how they can stop bladder leaks, here.