WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF URINARY INCONTINENCE?
Stress Incontinence- Involuntary leakage of urine with exercise, jumping, coughing, sneezing, or other activities that put pressure on the bladder
Urge Incontinence - Involuntary leakage occurs after a sudden strong urge to urinate. Often, the person cannot make it to the bathroom in time. This sometimes happens when the person puts the key in the door of the house or when running water is heard.
Mixed Incontinence - The presence of symptoms of both Stress and Urge incontinence
WHAT CAUSES INCONTINENCE?
There are many reasons why people become incontinent.
Stress incontinence usually results from weakness of the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles form a hammock-like structure in the pelvis that lift to support the internal organs and control the sphincter muscles. The pelvic floor muscles also provide strength to the low back, stabilize the pelvic bones and help with sexual function. Stress incontinence is due to "under active" pelvic floor muscles. This can occur from pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and after hysterectomy, prostatectomy, radiation treatments, etc.
Urge Incontinence is due to an "overactive bladder". Leakage is caused by abnormal bladder contractions. It can result from bladder infection, neurological disease, nerve damage or with chronic prostatitis.
The good news is that people with these diagnoses can be helped.
HOW WILL MY CONDITION BE TREATED?
There are many options for the treatment of incontinence, pelvic pain, and prolapse. Your doctor may decide that Physical Therapy is the best option for you. Physical therapy sessions may include pelvic muscle exercise, biofeedback therapy, and behavior modification.
Biofeedback therapy is a noninvasive and conservative approach that is helpful in the treatment of incontinence and other pelvic pain/urological issues. It helps to raise the awareness and conscious activity of usually unconsious activities. The pelvic floor muscles can be strengthened or trained to relax, depending on patient needs. Biofeedback is an excellent tool to help achieve normalized muscle tone in the bladder and pelvic floor muscles.
Your doctor my also prescribe medications or recommend surgery. Physical therapy can decrease the need for medications. It can also help prevent surgery, or can help surgery be more successful.