5 Things You Need to Know About Bladder Incontinence

1. Not All Bladder Incontinence Is the Same

There are a few different types of bladder incontinence. One of the most common types, especially for women, is stress incontinence. The muscles of the bladder become weak. This allows urine to leak out when pressure is put on the bladder. It often occurs when sneezing or lifting something heavy. As people age, they may develop a physical or mental disability that leads to functional incontinence. With this type of incontinence, a person may be unable to control the bladder at all. Another type of bladder incontinence is overflow. This causes a steady dribble of urine to leak from the bladder.

2. Varied Causes, Including Pregnancy

A major cause of stress incontinence in women is childbirth. The muscles of the pelvic floor can become weak during pregnancy and birth. Also, having a hysterectomy can damage the same muscles and lead to a problem. In men, an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer can be a cause of incontinence. Certain diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, can contribute to a bladder-control problem. Injuries that cause nerve damage, such as a spinal cord injury, may lead to functional incontinence.

3. Bladder Training Can Help

There are several treatments for bladder incontinence. Doctors usually suggest the least invasive treatment first. Bladder training may be effective for some people. It involves holding off on urinating for a few minutes when the urge strikes. The goal is to gradually increase the time between bathroom visits. Another treatment option is taking medications that can treat an overactive bladder. When these treatments fail to fix the problem, doctors may suggest surgery. The type of surgery depends on the cause of the incontinence.

4. Kegel Your Way to a Strong Bladder

One of the best ways to prevent incontinence is to live a healthy lifestyle. Being active, not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight all reduce your chance of developing bladder incontinence. To prevent stress incontinence, women should learn to do Kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic-floor muscles. To perform a Kegel, squeeze the muscles that stop the flow of urine. Hold for a few seconds and release. Repeat several times and do them daily.

5. Deal With the Emotional Impact

Someone who is coping with bladder incontinence may feel embarrassed and even limit social activities. There are things you can do to cope when out in public. Consider wearing absorbent pads that are made specifically for adults with bladder incontinence, and keep extra clothes in your car. However, the most important thing you can do is seek treatment. Don't hesitate to see a doctor who can explain treatment options. A large percentage of people are able to either stop the incontinence completely or lessen it to a large extent.