Stress and Urge Incontinence: Which Do I Have?
Millions of Americans struggle with urinary incontinence. This bladder problem can have more than one cause. Stress and urge incontinence are common types, but how do you know which one you have?
Having Difficulty Urinating? You May Have BPH
You may be worrying about how many times you get up in the night to use the bathroom or that your urine stream is weak, or perhaps you leak urine throughout the day. It may be due to a common noncancerous condition that affects aging men called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It’s estimated that roughly half of all men age 75 and older suffer from BPH symptoms, which is caused by an enlargement of the prostate gland.
Dr. Craig Herman and Dr. Steven Kester at Urology Center of Florida in Pompano Beach offer world class care and advanced treatment options for your bladder control problem. Here they share more about the condition and what you can do to minimize symptoms.
All about BPH
When your prostate enlarges, it puts pressure on your bladder and urethra. Over time, this constant pressure compromises the strength of the bladder and leads to a number of frustrating symptoms. If left untreated, BPH can advance to incontinence, urinary tract infections, or kidney stones.
While age is the most significant risk factor for BPH, your chances of developing it increase further if you have diabetes or heart disease, or if you’re carrying excess weight.
Symptoms of BPH
We encourage you to seek an assessment in our office if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Weak urine stream
- Straining to urinate
- Urgency to urinate
- Incomplete emptying of your bladder
- Increased nighttime urination
- Increased frequency of urination
In addition to evaluating your symptoms, to make a diagnosis of BPH our team may also get a blood and urine sample, perform a quick digital rectal exam, and conduct a bladder ultrasound.
Treatment options for BPH
If your BPH is mild, our team may recommend treatments that modify your lifestyle in order to minimize your symptoms. We may ask you to:
- Get regular exercise
- Reduce caffeine
- Decrease alcohol intake
- Avoid decongestants and antihistamines
- Schedule your bathroom visits
- Urinate twice on each bathroom occasion
- Cut off liquids a few hours before bed
In some cases, medication is the next best step. If your symptoms are severe, your treatment options may include:
- Laser therapy
- Prostatic urethral lift (PUL)
- Prostatectomy
- Transurethral needle ablation
Based on your health history, current condition, and symptoms, we’ll help guide you to the best solution for you.
If you’re having problems with urination, you’re not alone. There’s help for you at the Urology Center of Florida. Call our office to schedule a consultation or use the online scheduling feature.
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