Urinary Incontinence
Understanding Urinary Incontinence and Its Treatment
Urinary incontinence, or the loss of bladder control, can affect both men and women of all ages. While this condition is common, it often goes untreated because many people mistakenly believe it’s just a normal part of aging. However, urinary incontinence can usually be effectively treated with medication or minor procedures, and you don’t have to live with this problem.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
There are several types of urinary incontinence:
- Stress incontinence: This occurs when activities like coughing, sneezing, or lifting put pressure on the bladder, causing urine leakage.
- Urge incontinence: You may experience a sudden, intense urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine.
- Mixed incontinence: This is a combination of stress and urge incontinence.
- Postoperative incontinence in men: This can happen after prostate surgery, when the bladder control mechanism is affected.
Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Diagnosing urinary incontinence starts with a detailed conversation about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle factors. Keeping a bladder diary for 2-3 days can help track your symptoms. We may also perform a physical exam, ultrasound, urine analysis, and, in some cases, a cystoscopy. These tests are simple, quick, and can be conveniently performed in our practice.
Most cases of incontinence can be managed with conservative treatments like lifestyle changes, physical therapy, or medication. If these methods don’t bring the desired results, we can discuss minimally invasive surgical options that are highly effective and have short recovery times.
Take the Next Step
If you’re experiencing any form of urinary incontinence, don’t hesitate to seek help. Modern treatments can significantly improve your quality of life. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward effective relief.
