Dealing with urinary incontinence is far from being the most pleasant thing in the world, but the truth is that it affects all different kinds of people across all age groups. It is also true that that there are a wide variety of treatments available. Of course, it is true that the same treatment methods will not have the same level of effectiveness for everyone, so it is important for sufferers of urinary incontinence to determine both the specific cause of their condition and which treatment methods are likely to have the best outcome. As with many conditions some trial and error will be involved, but patients and their doctors can make sure they are headed in the right direction by addressing a series of questions concerning the patient’s medical history, symptoms and even their personal preferences.
Sometimes people let urinary incontinence go on longer than necessary before seeking treatment. It is important to address just how long it has been an issue as certain methods may work better for newer situations and vice versa. In chronic cases, it may also help to focus more on addressing and easing the patient’s most irritating symptoms rather than an overall cure.
This is one of the most important questions to ask of all as a diagnosis will help narrow down the treatments likely to be effective. Patients should consult with their doctor and even consider seeing a specialist if they have yet to receive a diagnosis.
Urge incontinence is usually a sign of another underlying condition rather than being its own medical issue. This is where the bladder spasms uncontrollably on its own, and in this case medications may be the best course of treatment.
Sometimes incontinence is not really caused by a definitive medical condition but rather a simple issue of drinking too many fluids and having weak bladder control. People who suffer from mild incontinence when sneezing, laughing, coughing, etc. may simply need to adjust their fluid intake.
Medications are used more for urge incontinence rather than stress-related conditions, but in most cases they need to be prescribed by a doctor. That said, certain medications like Oxytrol are available without a prescription and can help by reducing bladder spasms. Some patients may also benefit from Botox, which can also help reduce bladder contracting when it is carefully injected into the abdomen (this procedure should always be done by an experienced doctor rather than a cosmetic specialist).
While usually not a total cure, Kegel exercises can actually be beneficial for almost all people— men and women— with urinary incontinence. These simple exercises focus on strengthening the pelvic muscles for better control.
Behavioral treatment may actually be most effective for young children suffering from bed wetting or adults who feel they are constantly running to the bathroom. Gradually training the body to wait longer periods of time between bathroom breaks and making other simple lifestyle changes can go a long way.
Nobody wants to feel like they have to wear a diaper, but using absorption pads can nevertheless help make life a lot easier for sufferers of urinary incontinence. And the good news is that modern pads and liners are much more comfortable and less bulky than their predecessors. Female incontinence sufferers may also benefit from using pessaries, which assist with bladder support.
Surgery is rarely the solution to urinary incontinence, but in certain cases it can be an effective last-resort treatment method. Some surgical interventions work by moving the bladder back into a supported position while others simply implant sensors beneath the skin to help control bladder contractions.