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Incontinence



Good news for sufferers: This uncomfortable condition can almost always be improved



Millions of Americans, mostly women, suffer from involuntary leakage of urine, also known as incontinence. Despite the prevalence of the condition, eighty (80) percent of sufferers are not receiving treatment because they either believe that bladder control problems are an inevitable part of aging (they're not), or they are too embarrassed to discuss the topic with their doctor (they shouldn't be).

Many things can cause incontinence.Some problems can be temporary,brought on by infections or medications,such as diuretics, tranquilizers, and Antihistamines. Most people, experience persistent incontinence,which comes on gradually, then lingers.Lasting difficulties may be caused by weakness of the muscles that help control the flow of urine,overactive detruser muscles ( bladder muscles ), a blocked urethra...the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside... hormone changes, or neurologital disorders. See"Self Help Strategies"  below



Do You Experience Symtoms of Incontinence?

  • You awaken more than twice a night to urinate.
  • You push, strain or feel pain while urinating.
  • Urine leaks keep you from your normal daily activities.
  • You often feel as if your bladder is not completely emptying.
  • You don't feel any sensation that signals your bladder is full.
  • Self-help methods don't work.



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    Urinary incontinence, a condition that causes inadvertent urine leakage, is more treatable than most people realize. Yet the vast majority of sufferers -- approximately 17 million Americans, the majority women -- shy away from speaking to their doctors about it. If you’re in that group, arming yourself with the information below may help.

    The three main types of incontinence

  • Stress Incontinence.  Urine leaks out when you put pressure on the abdomen, usually after sneezing, coughing,lifting, laughing or exercising. This is most common after childbirth or during menopause.
  • Urge Incontinence.  A condition in which bladder muscles contract involuntarily, bringing a sudden need tourinate. You may also go to the bathroom very often (every one to two hours), or wet the bed.
  • Mixed Incontinence has elements of both Stress and Urge Incontinence.

    Less common types include:

  • Overflow Incontinence. Symtoms are constant dribbling of urine due to a physical problem, such as bladderblockage.
  • Functional Incontinence.  Sufferers& have bladder control, but cannot reach the bathroom in time due toconfusion, disorientation, or communication problems.
  • Total Incontinence.  In this type, the sphincter muscle doesn’t close, resulting in complete loss of bladdercontrol.

    When you see your doctor, you will be asked about your medical history and symptoms, and doctor might prescribe tests such as X-rays of your bladder or a urine analysis.

    Your doctor can then diagnose if you have one or more type(s) of incontinence (you can have more than one kind) and talk with you about preventive measures (such as exercise and behavioral therapy) and medical options.

    In some cases, a combination of medication and behavioral therapy to help you retrain your bladder may be the most effective course.

    Questions you should consider asking the doctor

    1) Are foods or drinks causing my bladder problems?
    2) Are medications or a medical condition contributing to incontinence?
    3) What can be done about any odor or rash caused by leaking urine?
    4) What treatments are available to help me regain bladder control? Which is best for me and why?
    5) Should I see a specialist? * If you are being exhamined by your family GP, he/she will probably refer you to adoctor who specializes in Incontinence.
    6) Is it possible that I have peripheral Edma? *
    7) Is it possible that incontinence could be caused by a "weak" heart condition? *

    Once a cause is identified, a variety of treatments are available. Options include:

  • Anti-spasmodic medications  that decrease bladder contractions, for those with urge incontinence.
    The newest drug in this category, tolterodine (Detrol), works on nerve receptors that help control bladdercontractions and reduce the need to urinate.
    Drugs with similar effects include oxybutynin (Ditropan XL), propantheline Pro-Banthine), and imipramineTofranil).
  • Alpha-adrenergic agonists,  which work by increasing the strength of the muscles involved in urination.
  • Desmopressin,  a synthetic hormone used to control the frequent urination and increased thirst of diabetes.
  • Estrogen replacement  for post-menopausal women.
  • Barriers placed over the urethral opening to prevent urine leakage,  including the CapSure shield and theImpress Softpatch foam pad.
  • The Reliance Urinary Control Insert,  a tiny balloon that is inserted in the urethra to block the bladder opening. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved a similar product, the fluid-filledFemSoft insert.
  • Pessaries and the Introl Bladder Neck Support Prosthesis -- plastic prescription devices that are inserted intothe vagina to support the bladder and compress the urethra.
  • Collagen injections  to bulk up a weak bladder sphincter muscle; helping it close more tightly.
  • Nerve stimulation  using a device implanted in the abdominal wall that helps control urge incontinence.
  • Surgery  to return the bladder to its proper position, correct a blockage, or replace or support severely weakened pelvic muscles.

    SELF HELP STRATEGIES

  • Cross your legs to stop urine leakage and squeeze your pelvic floor muscles right before and during whateverit is (coughing, sneezing, jumping) that causes you to lose urine.
  • Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages, such as coffee and cola drinks. They can irritate the bladder.
  • Drink one to two quarts of water a day. And go to the bathroom often, even if you don't feel the urge.
  • Whenever you urinate, empty your bladder as much as you can. Relax for a minute or two and then try tourinate again.
  • Wear clothing that can be quickly removed, such as pants with an elastic waistband.
  • Wear a tampon when exercising.
  • Lose weight, if appropriate.
  • Use absorbent undergarments.
  • Ask your doctor to explain how to perform Kegels, exercises that can help tone and strengthen pelvic muscles.Then, perform the exercises regularly.



    Seek immediate medical help if your loss of bladder control is accompanied by:


  • Inability to speak or slurred speech
  • Double or blurred vision or loss of vision
  • Sudden, severe headache
  • Paralysis, weakness or loss of sensation in an arm, leg, and/or the face on the same side of    the body
  • Confusion and dizziness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Loss of consciousness

    *  Added by page author, Plus some syntex modified for clarity.

    For more information, contact the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse at 1-800­891-5390,,  www.niddknih.gov/health/kidney/nkudic.htm; or the American Urological Association at  1-877-379­5433.

    For additional information and physician referrals, call the American Urological Association toll-free at 1-877-DRY-LIFE (379-5433),  www.drylife.org. Or contact the National Association for Continence at  1-800-BLADDER (252-3337).

    NOTE
    Data on this page was acquired from Medzine Guidebook, plus sites from Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and other

    Other links on Incontinence
    Bladder Control...Type Bladder or Incontinence in " Search Box " Medicinenet's...Incontinence Page,,The " How's & Why's" and much more Medizone's Incontinence page
    What is an overactive bladder?...What are symptoms of overactive bladder? ...What are treatments for overactive bladder?...What are treatments for the chronically incontinent?...Overactive Bladder At A Glance Incontinence...Help for your bladder American Foundation for Urologic Disease
    Incontinence is a challenge some elderly face. Don't be embarrassed to talk about it with your family doctor. Treatment can eliminate or improve the problem in 90%. Read the Clorox presentation relative to actions you should consider Medizine's "Incontinece site. A wealth of information that is worth a visit. Be sure to scan "More Articles" links Talk about bladder problems, and you're on your way to solving them
    The causes, prevention, diagnosis, treatments, and management alternatives for incontinence...Questions about Incontinence can be answered by calling  1-800-252-3337 Stay current on Incontinence advancements, by visiting this site for News about Incontinence research and more Women's Pelvic Muscle Exercise (Kegels) Kit — exercise kit that is most helpful for women with mild to moderate stress or urge incontinence


    Page Authors Comment

    Page author , via reading and discussion with his Urologist, has learned that exercising ( squeezing )the "Kegel" muscle helps in reducing the incidence of incontinence if the condition is moderate.

    * Added by page author

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