There’s never a good time for urinary incontinence, but it’s a common issue for pregnant women to have to cope with. So, what’s the link, and can you do anything to manage it? Read on to find out more.
Urinary incontinence, a condition where people accidentally urinate due to a loss of bladder control, affects millions of adults. It happens with 1 in 5 adults over 40, and nearly 30% of people ages 60-70 who merely cough, sneeze, or laugh. Many things can happen in the body to cause urinary incontinence to happen from time to time, but it becomes more prevalent with age. But is that normal, and can it be prevented?
This is a delicate condition that needs individual care and confident treatment. Dr. Neeraj Kohli and our team at Boston Urogyn offer years of experience helping people deal with the inconvenience and embarrassment of urinary incontinence, and we can help you with this or other urological issues.
The loss of bladder control can happen in small amounts on occasion or happen frequently without warning. And it happens in a number of ways, including:
This can be triggered by common things like laughing, sneezing, coughing, exercising, or heavy lifting.
This is a frequent sudden and intense urge to relieve urine followed by leakage. It can happen at many times of the day or night if bad enough.
A bladder that isn’t emptying properly can cause urine to slowly leak or dribble on a frequent basis.
This happens when you’re physically or mentally unable to reach the toilet before urinating. If, for example, you have arthritis in your hands and can’t open your pants in time, you may experience functional incontinence.
Urinary incontinence isn’t a disease, it’s a symptom of some other problem. This means that there’s an underlying reason for the condition that also needs treatment, so helping one can often help the other. Simple things like urinary tract infections, irritation, or some medications can cause temporary problems with urinary incontinence. But if it’s lasting for a long period, it could be due to things like:
Complications from these and other issues can prevent the bladder and its surrounding muscles from functioning the way they should. None of this should be considered a natural part of the aging process, even if they’re things that are more likely to happen as you age.
Controlling many of the underlying causes of urinary incontinence requires medical attention for diseases and damage to the bladder or muscles. But to avoid infections and prevent the need for some other treatments, some dietary changes can reduce the risk.
You can reduce or stop your consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and sodas, and stop smoking entirely. Eating more fiber can also help. If your problems are coming from a weak pelvic floor (the muscles that support the pelvis), then Kegel exercises are an option to strengthen the muscles you need to control the bladder.
Although urinary incontinence is more common as you age, you don’t have to accept it as part of aging. Make an appointment with Dr. Kohli at one of our four locations in the Boston, Massachusetts, area to get the help you need.
You Might Also Enjoy...
There’s never a good time for urinary incontinence, but it’s a common issue for pregnant women to have to cope with. So, what’s the link, and can you do anything to manage it? Read on to find out more.
Vaginal health is important for women, and discomfort can indicate a number of things. Several diseases and disorders can affect the vagina, including vulvovaginal diseases. Read on to find out more.
A prolapse can be uncomfortable and scary, so it’s important to know what kinds of prolapses there are and how to deal with them. Read on to find out more.
It’s difficult not to be embarrassed about fecal incontinence. But you should know that it happens for a lot of reasons and to a lot of people. Don’t be ashamed; find out what you can do about it.
If you’re experiencing pain during sex, it could be for a number of reasons. Read on to find out what could be causing your pain and what can be done to help.
Do you have problems with constipation, despite exercising, eating lots of dietary fiber, and spending time trying to go to the bathroom? The problem may actually be related to a condition called pelvic prolapse.