Urinary incontinence is a common problem that affects many people. It can be embarrassing and disrupt daily life.
There are a number of treatment options for urinary incontinence, including medications, lifestyle changes and surgery. Your healthcare provider will help you choose the best treatment for your needs.
Bladder Exercises
Urinary incontinence is a common health problem that causes unexpected leaks of urine. It can be a temporary concern or chronic issue, but it can affect your quality of life.
The bladder is a hollow organ located in the lower abdomen. When you urinate, the muscles in your bladder tighten to move urine into the tube-shaped urethra and relax to allow it to escape.
There are many ways to treat urinary incontinence, but non-drug treatments like healthy lifestyle changes and pelvic floor exercises are usually the first line of defense.
Pelvic floor muscle exercises (also called Kegels) strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and can help women who have bladder control issues hold their urine longer and avoid leaks. They can also be used as a treatment for men who have prostate surgery or other conditions that make it difficult to empty their bladders.
Some types of urinary incontinence are caused by physical stress on the bladder, such as exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, and lifting heavy objects. Others are caused by a sudden need to urinate, called urgency incontinence.
Medication
There are several medications that can help relieve urinary incontinence. They come in tablets, capsules, liquids and creams.
Some of these medications can cause side effects, so talk with your doctor about which one is right for you. They may be given orally, by infusion into a vein, or by drops that are put into the ear or eye.
Your doctor will also ask about your medical history, including medications and pregnancies. They’ll also do a physical exam and look for other problems that might be causing your incontinence.
Stress-related incontinence is very common among aging women, and there are several treatments available. Some of them are antimuscarinics, such as risperidone or duloxetine. Others are hormones, such as estrogen.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is a non-surgical treatment that can help improve urinary incontinence in elderly females. The goal is to reduce pain and improve function.
The first step is to see a physical therapist who can diagnose the problem and develop a treatment plan accordingly. Your physical therapist may use a variety of techniques, including massage, stretching and strengthening exercises.
A physical therapist will also teach you about proper posture, body mechanics and how to use assistive devices properly. These are things that can make a huge difference in your quality of life.
Physical therapy for urinary incontinence can be a very effective treatment. The most important thing to remember is to stick to your PT’s exercise plan. If you are not progressing, talk to your therapist about how to change your plan.
Surgery
The elderly face a number of medical conditions that can lead to urinary incontinence. Some of these include menopause, diabetes, obesity, and prostate problems.
Some women have urinary incontinence because their bladder muscles weaken as they age. This can lead to leaks as they laugh, sneeze or cough, or do certain types of exercises.
Surgery can be a treatment for this problem, especially when other treatments don’t work. If you’re thinking about having surgery to treat your incontinence, talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about the risks and benefits of this option.
Before surgery, your health care provider will order tests to make sure you’re healthy enough for it. They may also refer you to another specialist if needed. For example, a cardiologist or an endocrinologist if you have diabetes. You’ll need to get all of your test results and reports sent to the surgeon so they can prepare for your surgery. This will help you avoid delays.
