Basics Regarding Urinary Incontinence Treatment

By Enid Hinton


There are numerous problems that may arise as a person gets older, including urinary incontinence. This refers to an issue in which a person loses control of his or her bladder and suffers with problems of leakage. The chances of developing this problem go up as a person gets older. In fact, it afflicts more than 50 percent of those living in care facilities. It is also more frequent among females than males. Urinary incontinence treatment is an option for sufferers.

This condition may manifest in different forms. One of these is stress. This type of incontinence is leakage brought on by an increase of pressure in the abdomen. Sometimes this is caused by climbing, sneezing, laughing or coughing. Essentially, these physical stressors on the bladder and abdominal cavity lead to the leakage.

Another form of this is urge. This is the term used to describe leakage that is involuntary and preceded by or comes with urgency. There is also mixed, which refers to a combo of urge and stress forms. This problem is characterized by the involuntary leakage, as well as a stressor like sneezing, coughing or exertion.

Functional refers to the inability of a person to hold their urine. This could be due to a number of reasons not related to neurologic or lower urinary tract dysfunction. The form of incontinence one has may impact signs and symptoms, as well as possible solutions.

People suffering with this condition should get medical help. The process of diagnosis is expected to include taking numerous tests and an assessment of patient history. Some patients might require more than the standard physical examinations and urinalysis. Measuring of PVR urine volume, cystoscopies, cough test, voiding diaries, urodynamic studies and cotton swab tests might also be needed. Certain medications or health problems might create or compound on this condition, which is why full assessment of patients is recommended.

Treatment should be tailored to fit the status of the patient. However, there are common remedies issued based on the form of incontinence. For stress, patients may be given surgery, anti-incontinence devices or pelvic floor physiotherapy. For cases of urge leakage, doctors may prescribe changes to diet, pelvic-floor exercises, medications and surgical intervention, and behavior modification. People with the mixed form may be given surgery, anticholinergic drugs and pelvic floor therapy.

Diversion or a catheterization regimen may be assigned to people with overflow, while caring for the underlying cause is often done in cases of functional incontinence. Those who want temporary relief or to go about their life as normally as possible may benefit from absorbency products. These can be used until an official treatment has been applied or been given time to work. They might also be beneficial to those awaiting surgery or as a long-term solution for certain patients.

Western medicine is often what people with this condition seek out. However, there are other options available in the form of alternative medicine practices. Professionals in these fields offer solutions that are often less invasive and more natural based. Still, people should always do their own research when determining a treatment option and doctor to choose. Results will differ.




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