Urinary Incontinence

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence occurs when you lose control of your bladder. Symptoms can be mild — like leaking a little urine when you cough or laugh — or severe, such as completely emptying your bladder before reaching the toilet.

What causes urinary incontinence?

Because UI is a symptom and not a disease, it’s linked to a wide range of conditions. Broadly, these are grouped into two categories.

Temporary UIs are caused by foods, drinks, and medications that over-stimulate the bladder. Some of these substances include alcohol, caffeine, chocolate, and chili peppers. Certain medications can also cause a temporary UI. Urinary tract infections and constipation are common medical factors.

Persistent UIs are underlying conditions can make UI a longer-term issue. Women who are pregnant or have recently given birth sometimes develop UI due to the weakening of bladder muscles and the pelvic floor. Hormonal changes during menopause can also be a factor. Men with enlarged prostates or prostate cancer often have persistent UI. Other causes include kidney stones, neurological disorders like stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. Lastly, the wear and tear of aging can weaken the bladder’s ability to hold urine.

What are the types of urinary incontinence?

Some of the most common types of urinary incontinence include:

• Urge incontinence: A sudden, overwhelming urge to urinate
• Stress incontinence: Leaking urine while coughing, laughing, and during other activities
• Functional incontinence: Urine flow is controlled but limited mobility makes it difficult to reach the toilet in time
• Overflow incontinence: Leaking urine caused by an overfilled bladder
• Mixed incontinence: Having one or more types of urinary incontinence

Am I at risk for urinary incontinence?

Risk factors for urinary incontinence include:

• Old age
• Genetics
• Gender (women are more likely to develop UI)
• Obesity
• Tobacco use
• Diabetes, neurological diseases, and other conditions

What treatments are available for urinary incontinence?

Your course of treatment depends on the type and severity of UI. Interventions range from behavior modification to medications, medical devices, and surgery.

If, for example, you have a weakened pelvic floor muscle, your doctor provides a highly effective form of physical therapy called Imagine. Using state-of-the-art medical sensing equipment, Imagine helps you precisely target and exercise the striated, skeletal muscle group in your pelvis. The result is greatly improved bladder capacity and control.

When you come into the Urology Center of Florida for an exam, your expert urologist diagnoses your condition and prescribes the most effective therapies to treat your UI.

Don’t let the embarrassment and indignity of UI diminish your joy for living. Call or book an appointment online today.