What is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control which can be an embarrassing yet common problem as you get older. If you notice an increase in urinary leakage from sneezing or coughing or have the urge to urinate suddenly and find it difficult to make to the bathroom in time and it affects your daily life, it’s time to go see your urologist NYC.

Urinary Incontinence Symptoms

Urinary incontinence is the inability to control the release of urine, either as minor leaks or actually wetting your clothes. There are different levels of urinary continence which include:

• Stress Continence- This form of urinary incontinence is caused from pressure on your bladder caused by a sneeze, cough, laughter, exercise or heavy lifting, due the weakening of the sphincter muscle of the bladder.

• Urge Incontinence- This happens when you have this sudden urge to urinate, but are unable to make it to the bathroom in time, due to muscle contractions in your bladder. Often urge incontinence can be caused by a bladder infection, bowel problems, stroke, injury, Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease. It is also referred as an overactive bladder.
• Overflow Incontinence- Frequent or constant dribbling of urine may suggest you have overflow incontinence. Overflow incontinence happens when you are unable to empty your bladder or you have a weak stream when urinating. This may happen if you have had an injury to your bladder, a blocked urethra, nerve damage or problems with your prostate.
• Total Incontinence- Happens when you have a continuous leakage of urine, day and night or have a large release of urine at one time.

What Causes Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence can be caused by a number of things such as what you eat, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or caffeine, medical conditions, changes in your bladder due to age, bladder irritations, urinary infections and occasionally bowel problems. Conditions of your prostate, bladder cancer or stones, nerve disorders, or an obstruction can contribute to urinary incontinence.

Treatment for Urinary Incontinence

Your urologist will provide the treatment which depends upon the severity, type of and the cause of the incontinence, which may include bladder training, scheduling toilet trips, fluid and diet management, and/or physical therapy. Medications such as anticholinerics, imipramine or duloxetine may be prescribed. These medications are will calm and overactive bladder, reducing the symptoms of incontinence.

Surgery is often the last resort method to control urinary incontinence such surgery methods which include sling procedures, bladder neck suspension or a placement of an artificial urinary sphincter.

No matter how light your urinary incontinence may be, it is always a good idea to contact the best urologist in New York City. Your appointment with your urologist can help to keep the embarrassment of incontinence at bay so you can enjoy life again!