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Incontinence is treatable and, in many cases, curable

Many people suffer unnecessarily with incontinence because they don't know that a variety of treatments are available, including exercises, medications and in some cases, surgery. Since there are many types and causes of incontinence, the first step in solving your problem is to see your doctor who will take your medical history, examine you carefully and possibly order diagnostic tests to help determine the best treatment for you.

What causes incontinence?

Incontinence occurs when any part of the genitourinary system (the reproductive and urinary organs) is not functioning properly. For example, if the external sphincter muscle is weak, it cannot control the release of urine. Incontinence has many contributing factors, including pelvic surgery, prostate surgery, pregnancy and delivery, urinary tract infections, lowered estrogen levels following menopause, heredity, or even some medications.

Different types of incontinence

A person with stress incontinence leaks small amounts of urine during physical stress such as lifting, coughing or laughing, usually because the pelvic floor muscles have weakened. With urge incontinence, a person feels a strong, uncontrollable urge to urinate. The cause is an overly sensitive bladder. With overflow incontinence, a person constantly dribbles urine and often has trouble emptying the bladder completely. Overflow incontinence may result when scar tissue narrows the urethra, through which urine passes, or the bladder stops contracting because of injuries or medications. Some people have mixed incontinence, a combination of two or three types.

What is incontinence?

Incontinence is the involuntary release of urine or feces, an embarrassing and unpleasant condition experienced by over 10 million Americans. Although more common in women, it also affects men.

Exercise

Kegel's exercises, named after the doctor who developed them, are often prescribed to treat incontinence because they strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor which support the bladder, rectum, and in women, the uterus. Strong pelvic floor muscles help to prevent problems such as fallen bladder (cystocele) and fallen rectum (rectocele). Although Kegel's exercises are not painful or difficult, many people will see little or no improvement unless they are given personalized instruction. Variations in muscle strength and anatomy mean that different people need to do their exercises in different positions and for different amounts of time. Our physical therapists can design a program to meet your needs.

Do you have incontinence?

Do you limit your activities for fear of an "accident" in public?
Do you leak urine when you cough, sneeze or laugh?
Do you sometimes leak urine when you get up from a chair?
Do you wet yourself if you don't get to the bathroom immediately?
Do you wet the bed at night?
Do you urinate small amounts but not feel completely empty?
Do you feel the urge to urinate but sometimes can't?
Do you think there is no help for your problem?

The more often you answered yes, the more likely it is that you do have a type of incontinence. Yes answers to #2 and #3 suggest that you may have "stress incontinence." Yes answers to #4 and #5 are often signs of "urge incontinence.

Yes answers to #6 and #7 indicate the possibility of "overflow incontinence." A yes answer to #8 means that you just haven't heard about the many treatment options for incontinence. Talk to your doctor or one of our physical therapists soon because you don't have to suffer the embarrassment and discomfort of incontinence.

Diet

Many common foods, especially caffeine, alcohol, sugar and artificial sweeteners, are bladder irritants and contribute to incontinence. For some people, a small diet change can drastically reduce their incontinence. Ask your physical therapist to review your diet and recommend alternatives.

Physical Therapy

The physical therapists at O'Neill Physical Therapy Services have helped 96% of our patients reduce or eliminate their incontinence problems through exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor and abdomen, biofeedback, electrical stimulation, dietary changes, and behavioral training. Frequent urination can affect your life almost as much as incontinence. Our therapists also teach exercises, scheduled toileting and relaxation methods to improve your bladder control.