Urinary incontinence occurs when the ability to control the passing of urine from the bladder no longer exists. This problem, which occurs quite frequently, is embarrassing to the men and women who suffer from it. Different types of incontinence include stress incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, overflow incontinence, functional incontinence and gross total incontinence, MayoClinic.com reports.
Step 1
Wear incontinence pads and underwear. Do not become embarrassed by them. Have them available and wear them, especially when you plan to go out. Having these available all the time remains important, MayoClinic.com indicates. Wear them when you feel the need. However, heavier wetting usually occurs at nighttime when the body builds up more urine. Wearing the heavier protection at night will help the person to feel dry and clean. Department stores, grocery stores and pharmacies carry men’s and women’s urinary pads and diapers.
Step 2
Use a catheter if your bladder has lost its ability to fully empty after the process of urination. The urologist will instruct you in how to catheterize yourself several times during the day to fully empty the bladder, MayoClinic.com sates. This will make you feel less embarrassed and more in control of your urinary incontinence problem.
Step 3
Train yourself for bladder control. Bladder training consists of retraining the urine by purposely setting times of voiding, but not voiding during an urge. You will need to delay urination despite the urge to urinate for at least 10 minutes at a time, with the goal of urinating every two to four hours. This may be difficult at first, but will get easier when your body adjusts. Double urinating is another way to train the bladder to fully empty, MayoClinic.com states. This works by urinating, then waiting a few minutes and then urinating a second time. This process gives you a chance to fully empty your bladder. This may help to overcome the overflow incontinence issue.
Step 4
Exercise to promote better urinary sphincter control and stronger pelvic floor muscles. MayoClinic.com calls these techniques pelvic floor muscle exercises. Perform these exercises frequently to gain better muscle control to decrease the problem of incontinence. The exercises that squeeze the muscles you use to stop urine flow are called Kegels. A physical therapist can help you learn and perform these exercises.
Step 5
Take medications prescribed by your physician to help control your bladder function. The doctor may prescribe one or more of several different types of medications depending upon the type of incontinence he treats. Take these medications along with the aforementioned pelvic floor exercises. Anticholinergic medicines may help treat an overactive bladder. Your physician may prescribe topical estrogen stimulates tissue near the urinary tract as well as tricyclic anti-depressant medicines that will treat the two types of incontinence such as stress and urge incontinence, MayoClinic.com indicates.
Things You'll Need
- Incontinence clothing
- Catheter
- Bladder training
- Pelvic floor exercises
- Medications
