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Common Causes of Urinary Incontinence

Common Causes of Urinary Incontinence

by | Dec 12, 2022 | urology news

Urinary incontinence is a condition that affects millions of Americans yet often remains taboo and misunderstood. It affects both men and women and can range from mild to severe. Fortunately, there are ways to manage urinary incontinence and a variety of treatments available, depending on the cause.

In this guide, we will discuss the most common causes of urinary incontinence and provide tips on how to manage the condition. We’ll also discuss lifestyle changes, medications, and treatments to help you better understand and manage your incontinence. With the right care and attention, you can live a happier, healthier life despite urinary incontinence.

What Is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the inability to fully control your bladder, which can lead to leakage. It can occur at any age, with the most common causes being menopause, childbirth, changes in the brain due to stroke, neurological disorders, diabetes, or high blood pressure. Urinary incontinence is highly treatable, and it is important to see a doctor to determine the best course of action for you.

Urinary incontinence can be divided into two main types. The first type is when you involuntarily leak urine, such as when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise. This is called stress urinary incontinence. The second type is when you feel a strong urge to urinate right when you feel the urge to go. This is called urge urinary incontinence.

Causes of Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence can be a result of many factors, including weakness of the muscles that support the bladder and/or bowel spasms. Physical trauma, like childbirth, injury to the pelvic area, surgery, or a neurological disorder, can also cause urinary incontinence.

Pregnancy and childbirth the majority of women experience some form of urinary incontinence after childbirth, whether it be a little leaking or a lot. This is often due to weakened pelvic floor muscles from the stress of childbirth, as well as the hormonal changes experienced during and after pregnancy. While many women experience urinary incontinence for a few months after birth, there are steps you can take to ease the symptoms.

There is also age. As we age, the muscles in our body naturally weaken, including the muscles of the bladder. This may cause frequent, unintentional urination. However, many people will experience urinary incontinence as they age. Factors such as weight gain and diet can also contribute to urinary incontinence.

Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence

With urge urinary incontinence, you experience a strong sensation to urinate accompanied by an urge to go. Urge urinary incontinence can be caused by a bladder infection, bladder spasms, or a neurological disorder, such as Parkinson’s disease. Urge urinary incontinence is usually accompanied by urgency, frequency, and a feeling of not being able to empty your bladder completely.

Overflow urinary incontinence is when you feel like you have to urinate all the time but are only able to expel a small amount at a time. Overflow urinary incontinence occurs when the bladder is full and the urine cannot exit.

Stress urinary incontinence is when you leak small amounts of urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise. Stress urinary incontinence is often the result of weakened pelvic floor muscles from childbirth, obesity, or menopause. Stress urinary incontinence can also result from pregnancy, damage to the bladder, or bladder spasms.

Diagnosing Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence can be diagnosed by your doctor through a physical exam and discussion about your symptoms. Your doctor may also recommend a urinalysis and urine culture, as well as a pelvic exam and/or an ultrasound, which can further determine the cause of your incontinence.

If you experience urinary incontinence, it is important to see a doctor. While urinary incontinence is a very common condition, it is important to get it diagnosed and treated as soon as possible. Untreated urinary incontinence can lead to other complications, such as skin irritation from frequent leakage, as well as a risk of contracting a urinary tract infection.

Treatments for urinary incontinence

There are a variety of treatments available for urinary incontinence, depending on the cause. Treatments for urinary incontinence include: Kegel exercises, also known as pelvic floor exercises, and Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. These are the muscles that support your bladder, uterus, and rectum. To perform Kegel exercises, imagine that you’re trying to stop the flow of urine. Squeeze these muscles for five seconds, then release them for five seconds. Repeat this 10 times a day.

Sometimes medications are used, such as antibiotics, anticholinergics, or diuretics, can be used to treat urinary incontinence that is caused by a bladder infection. Urge urinary incontinence can be treated with antispasmodic drugs, anti-depressants, or muscle relaxers.

There is also pelvic rehabilitation. A pelvic rehabilitation program can help treat urinary incontinence if the cause is the weakness of your pelvic floor muscles. This can be in the form of physiotherapy or occupational therapy, or a home exercise program.

Lastly, surgery is an option. Urinary incontinence can also be treated with surgery, such as a sling procedure or a partial cystoplasty, which involves reconstructing the bladder using parts of the bowel. A sling procedure involves stitching a piece of material to support the bladder, neck, and urethra. A partial cystoplasty is a surgery that involves making a new bladder out of a section of the bowel.

Lifestyle Changes for Urinary Incontinence

There are many steps you can take to help improve your incontinence, such as changing your diet and getting enough exercise. Avoiding caffeine and changing your diet to include a variety of fruits and veggies can help reduce symptoms of frequent urination. Additionally, regular exercise, such as walking, can help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and reduce the symptoms of urinary incontinence.

There are a few other steps you can take to help manage your incontinence, such as wearing loose-fitting clothing and using absorbent pads or underwear to prevent leakage. You may also consider using a pelvic floor device or a constipation remedy, such as prune juice, to reduce the risk of constipation, which can worsen urinary incontinence.

Medications for Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence can be treated through several medications, including Anticholinergics. Anticholinergics can be used to treat urge urinary incontinence. This treatment is used if you are experiencing depression as a result of your incontinence.

Anticholinergics are used to treat urge urinary incontinence.  Anticholinergics work by relaxing the muscles in the bladder and increasing the amount of time it takes for the bladder to fill.

Antispasmodics are another form to treat bladder incontinence. They are used to treat urge urinary incontinence. Antispasmodics reduce the urge to urinate by relaxing the bladder muscles.

Alternative Treatments for Urinary Incontinence

There are many alternative treatments for urinary incontinence, such as acupuncture, yoga, and herbal remedies.

Acupuncture can help relieve pain, stress, and anxiety caused by urinary incontinence. This can lessen the urge to urinate and improve bladder control.

Changing your diet may help reduce symptoms of frequent urination, such as caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and carbonated beverages.

Exercises, such as yoga, can help strengthen pelvic floor muscles, which can help improve bladder control. Exercise can also reduce stress and anxiety, which can help reduce the urge to urinate.

We Understand, and We Will Help You, Z Urology

If you suffer from urinary incontinence, Z Urology is here to help you. Our team of experienced and specialized urologists is dedicated to providing the best possible care for our patients. We understand that urinary incontinence can be embarrassing and uncomfortable, and we are here to offer you the best possible solutions. With our state-of-the-art equipment, we can diagnose and treat a variety of urinary issues, from bladder control to kidney stones. 

We also offer treatments such as pelvic floor therapy and biofeedback to help patients regain control of their bladder. With our personalized approach and commitment to patient care, you can be sure you will receive the most effective treatment for your specific condition. So don’t suffer in silence. If you are dealing with urinary incontinence, we can help you. Give Z Urology a call today and get back to living your life without the worry of urinary mishaps.

Understanding Urinary Incontinence

Understanding Urinary Incontinence

by | Aug 29, 2022 | Uncategorized

Urinary incontinence is a condition that affects many people. It is estimated that nearly 10 million people in the U.S. have some degree of urinary incontinence. It’s also something that has a significant impact on quality of life. 

Many people who suffer from urinary incontinence avoid certain activities such as exercise or going to work or school because of the fear of having an accident. For many people, urinary incontinence isn’t something they openly talk about – even with friends and family members. By increasing awareness about the condition, we can help individuals cope better with their symptoms and find treatment to start living happier healthier lives.

What is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the inability to control the flow of urine from the bladder. It is a fairly common condition that affects people of all ages. It’s a condition that commonly affects people with certain underlying medical conditions. Older people are also more likely to have problems with urinary incontinence.

There are several types of urinary incontinence: urge and stress. Urge urinary incontinence is a sudden and strong need to urinate that makes it difficult to make it to the bathroom in time. This happens when your bladder isn’t fully empty after you urinate. 

Stress urinary incontinence happens when your sphincter muscles that control urination are weakened and you leak urine when you make sudden movements, such as coughing, laughing, or sneezing.

Causes of Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence can be caused by many different factors. While urinary incontinence is commonly associated with older adults, it can happen to anyone in any age group. Anyone with urinary problems like having a small bladder, or cystitis can experience urinary incontinence. 

This includes both men and women, infants and children, and even those who have had surgery, like a hysterectomy. Some people may be naturally more prone to it than others; however, it can also be due to aging, genetics, emotional stress, or anything else that may be affecting your body’s ability to properly empty your bladder. 

Urinary incontinence can be embarrassing to deal with for anyone who experiences it but especially for those who are also dealing with other medical conditions with embarrassing symptoms.

Additional causes of urinary incontinence include:

  • Urinary tract infection – Bacteria can travel up the urinary tract and cause an infection in the bladder, kidneys, and ureters. This can result in a UTI, which is a common cause of urinary incontinence.
  • Urinary obstruction – Urinary obstruction occurs when something gets stuck in the urethra and stops the flow of urine. The obstruction can cause an infection which could lead to urinary incontinence.
  • Urinary spasms – Urinary spasms are abnormal contractions of the bladder muscles that lead to difficulty urinating and urinary incontinence.

 

  • Neurological diseases – Diseases such as multiple sclerosis or stroke can cause damage to the nerves and muscles of the urinary tract, which can result in urinary incontinence.
  • Pelvic floor dysfunction – Damage to the pelvic floor muscles can result in a weakened bladder sphincter, leading to urinary incontinence.
  • Menopause – As women age, hormone levels decrease, which can cause the bladder to become less effective and less able to hold urine.
  • Obesity – Excess weight can cause back and pelvic floor issues, which can result in urinary incontinence.
  • Pregnancy – Changes in hormones and weight gain in pregnancy can lead to bladder weakness and urinary incontinence.
  • Childbirth – Childbirth can result in pelvic floor damage and urinary incontinence.

Tips to Manage Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence can be difficult to manage, but there are many things you can do to help relieve your symptoms. 

You can make urinary incontinence more manageable by: 

  • Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water throughout the day.
  • Exercising regularly and eating healthy, high-fiber foods. Change your diet to include foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Kegel exercises can also help as they strengthen pelvic muscles.
  • Use feminine hygiene products, pads, or adult diapers to protect your clothing.

Although staying hydrated when you have urinary incontinence may sound counterintuitive on the surface, it’s the best thing you can do for yourself. When you’re dehydrated, you’ll have an increased buildup of waste that will exasperate the situation and make things considerably worse for you. 

Treating Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a complex condition and can be very difficult to treat. However, a urologist can help you find the best treatment option for your needs. 

Treatment options may include:

  • Medication
  • Dietary changes
  • Surgery
  • Physical therapy
  • Using a sling to support the bladder 
  • Surgical repair of the urethra or bladder
  • Using Botox injections to reduce bladder spasms

Why You Should See a Urologist for Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a complex issue, and many general healthcare providers like primary care doctors don’t have a lot of experience in treating it which is why you need a urologist. A urologist specializes in the urinary tract and disorders that affect that area, so they can offer you the best care possible. 

A urologist can help you find the treatment option that’s best for your specific needs. If you or a loved one is suffering from urinary incontinence, you should see a urologist for an evaluation and treatment options.

The Conclusion? If You’re Struggling with Urinary Incontinence, You Need to Make an Appointment with Z Urology!

Getting treatment for urinary incontinence can help you reduce your symptoms and feel better. When you have urinary incontinence, a urologist is the best person to see for treatment. 

Z Urology is one of the most highly respected urology clinics in South Florida. Our urologists are known for their compassionate care and attention to detail. There’s no reason to keep suffering from urinary incontinence when assistance and relief are one phone call away. 

Life can be hard, and having urinary incontinence makes it even harder, but you don’t have to let it persist. When you make an appointment with us, we’ll go over your symptoms and generate a detailed treatment plan. 

Need treatment for urinary incontinence in South Florida? Call Z Urology and make an appointment!

We can’t wait to hear from you!