Detrol, also known as tolterodine, is prescribed for symptoms of frequent and or urgent urination and bladder incontinence. Detrol is an anticholinergic medication, meaning it blocks nerves that control muscle contractions in the bladder and allows the smooth muscles of the bladder to relax. According to Bartlesby.com and Gray's Anatomy, anticholinergics like Detrol encourage relief of over-active bladder symptoms by overriding messages from the peripheral nervous system regarding muscle control and bladder activation.
Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence is a sudden, intense urge to urinate that precedes an uncontrollable loss of urine. Those with urge incontinence often do not have time to get to the bathroom before they empty a portion of their bladder. They have over-active bladders, meaning the muscles contract involuntarily before the bladder is completely full and before a message is sent to the brain alerting the sphincter muscles to release urine. According to the Merck Manual on urinary incontinence, anticholinergic medications like Detrol decrease bladder contractions that reduce the urge to urinate. The Merck Manual study on urinary incontinence indicates that the bladder is activated to empty after a message is sent from the urinary organs up the spinal cord to the brain alerting the consumer of the urge to urinate. Detrol allows clients to choose the timing of urination by controlling the activation of the bladder muscles.
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence is the loss of small amounts of urine when coughing, sneezing, lifting heavy objects or any action that increases pressure on the stomach or abdominal muscles. Stress incontinence is common among young and middle-aged women from weakness of the urinary sphincter from childbirth or pelvic surgery. Gray's Anatomy describes the urinary sphincter as a muscle that controls the release or retention of urine. In postmenopausal women, a lack of estrogen can reduce the urethra's struggle to moderate the flow of urine. Stress incontinence can occur in men as well following prostate surgery. In both men and women, extra weight stresses the bladder and can add to the symptoms of stress incontinence, according to Merck Manuals study on urinary incontinence. Detrol helps to control the symptoms of stress incontinence by decreasing bladder contractions.
Additional Information From Detrol
Detrol manufacturer Pfizer reminds its clients to seek medical attention for frequent or uncontrolled urination. They note that the doctor will first determine if any infection or improperly functioning urinary organ is the cause of over-active bladder symptoms. Detrol works best when its client maintain a healthy active lifestyle including exercise and weight management.
