Detailed Information on Urinary Incontinence

Loss of bladder control is called urinary incontinence. The severity of urinary incontinence ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having sudden, unpredictable episodes of strong urinary urgency. It is caused by physiologic, pharmacologic, pathologic, or psychological factors.About 12 million adults in the United States have urinary incontinence. It’s most common in women over 50 years old. But it can also affect younger people, especially women who have just given birth. Urinary incontinence is not associated with increased mortality. The medical morbidity includes perineal candidal infection, cellulitis, pressure sores, constant skin irritation and moisture, urosepsis from indwelling catheters, falls and fractures from slipping on urine, and sleep deprivation from nocturia.

The several types of urinary incontinence, stress, urge, and mixed incontinence account for more than 90% of cases. Bladder control problems have been found to be associated with higher incidence of many other health problems such as obesity and diabetes. Some factors increase risk of developing urinary iIncontinence common condition. Being overweight increases the pressure on your bladder and surrounding muscles. Smokers are also at risk of developing overactive bladder. People with extensive vascular disease that can occur with aging are at increased risk of overactive bladder. Other diseases such as kidney disease or diabetes may increase your risk of urinary incontinence. There are other causes of incontinence, such as prostate problems and nerve damage.

Treatment depends on the type of problem. One of the most common treatment recommendations includes exercising the muscles of the pelvis. Biofeedback uses measuring devices to help the patient become aware of his or her body’s functioning. Stress incontinence can be treated with special exercises, called Kegel exercises. Kegel exercises can also help men. It may take 3 to 6 months to see an improvement. A medicine called oxybutynin (brand name: Ditropan) can be used for urge incontinence and too-frequent urination. Another medication, called imipramine, is also used to treat sleepwetting. It acts on both the brain and the urinary bladder. A Foley catheter is helpful in cases of neurogenic bladder and overflow incontinence to prevent hydronephrosis Surgery are other options to treat Urinary Incontinence.

About the Author

Juliet Cohen writes articles for Diseases. She also writes articles for Makeup and Hairstyles.


Natural Treatments for Urinary Incontinence (Woodland Health)


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For both young and old, urinary incontinence can be an embarrassing and annoying problem. Several herbs, including butterbur, have recently been found to have therapeutic benefit for anyone with disorders of the bladder and urinary tract. In this booklet, master herbalist Rita Elkins investigates how combining natural medicine with Kegel exercises, biofeedback, and acupuncture is an effective ther…

Mayo Clinic on Managing Incontinence (Practical strategies for improving bladder and bowel control)


Mayo Clinic on Managing Incontinence (Practical strategies for improving bladder and bowel control)


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Incontinence isn’t something that’s easy to talk about – especially when you or a loved one experiences it. Talking about it, whether with family and friends or with your doctor, takes courage. And discussing it is often the first step in getting help.

Significant advances have been made in the treatment of incontinence. New medications that reduce or eliminate the signs and symptoms of urinary i…


Vesicare.(drug approval): An article from: Internal Medicine News


Vesicare.(drug approval): An article from: Internal Medicine News


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This digital document is an article from Internal Medicine News, published by International Medical News Group on December 15, 2004. The length of the article is 532 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.Citati…