Overactive Bladder
Dealing With Incontinence And Overactive Bladder Disorder
Our bodies change as we age and the one thing that often worries most people is incontinence. Overactive bladder disorder or the constant urge to ‘go’ is responsible for a lot of incidents of leakage and embarrassing accidents. The good news is that all of these conditions are treatable and there is nothing to worry about. To put your mind at ease, we have come up with a brief explanation of what is going on with your bladder and what can be done to help.
Want to know more about incontinence, overactive bladder disorder or other problems with urinary leaking? All of us here at Trinity Primary Care understand that talking about it can be embarrassing, but we are here to help you take back control. Call us today.
A Common Problem
The first thing that you need to understand is that incontinence, even temporary incontinence is very common and happens to everyone at some point in their lives. Over time, some people will find that their bladder has become weaker, and they have trouble holding their urine in check, until they have the chance to go relieve themselves. With the help of our doctor, you can learn how to manage your condition.
The Many Types of Incontinence
Incontinence due to an overactive bladder means getting up frequently to urinate, feeling like you need to go more often, and accidents may occur after having only one drink of coffee or soft drinks.
Stress incontinence, on the other hand, is caused by weak pelvic floor muscles, incapable of holding the neck of the bladder in the right position for bladder control. Stress incontinence will cause any movement to potentially lead to urine leakage, especially when you laugh, cough or sneeze.
The third type, overflow incontinence, means getting up frequently during the night, only to release a small amount, with little force or pressure and still feel the urge within minutes of leaving the bathroom. Even with the urge, you may not be able to go and leak afterward, without warning. This is caused by a narrowing of the urethra, either through surgical scars, childbirth, or an enlarged prostrate. The bladder is full, but it cannot be released normally.
Treatment
Once our doctor has made a diagnosis as to which type of condition you have, treatment will be decided in order to help you manage it. There are medications that can help, as well as exercises that you can do to strengthen the bladder muscles and help stop the leakage. If necessary, surgery might be in order to tighten up pelvic muscles or an enlarged prostate.
While you are undergoing treatment for incontinence or overactive bladder disorder, you can also help yourself manage your condition through absorbent clothing aids and pads to keep any leakage away from your skin. Your skin in that area will become very sensitive and easily irritated. Keeping clean and switching to a lighter detergent will help.
Overactive Bladder
Dealing With Incontinence And Overactive Bladder Disorder
Our bodies change as we age and the one thing that often worries most people is incontinence. Overactive bladder disorder or the constant urge to ‘go’ is responsible for a lot of incidents of leakage and embarrassing accidents. The good news is that all of these conditions are treatable and there is nothing to worry about. To put your mind at ease, we have come up with a brief explanation of what is going on with your bladder and what can be done to help.
Want to know more about incontinence, overactive bladder disorder or other problems with urinary leaking? All of us here at Trinity Primary Care understand that talking about it can be embarrassing, but we are here to help you take back control. Call us today.
A Common Problem
The first thing that you need to understand is that incontinence, even temporary incontinence is very common and happens to everyone at some point in their lives. Over time, some people will find that their bladder has become weaker, and they have trouble holding their urine in check, until they have the chance to go relieve themselves. With the help of our doctor, you can learn how to manage your condition.
The Many Types of Incontinence
Incontinence due to an overactive bladder means getting up frequently to urinate, feeling like you need to go more often, and accidents may occur after having only one drink of coffee or soft drinks.
Stress incontinence, on the other hand, is caused by weak pelvic floor muscles, incapable of holding the neck of the bladder in the right position for bladder control. Stress incontinence will cause any movement to potentially lead to urine leakage, especially when you laugh, cough or sneeze.
The third type, overflow incontinence, means getting up frequently during the night, only to release a small amount, with little force or pressure and still feel the urge within minutes of leaving the bathroom. Even with the urge, you may not be able to go and leak afterward, without warning. This is caused by a narrowing of the urethra, either through surgical scars, childbirth, or an enlarged prostrate. The bladder is full, but it cannot be released normally.
Treatment
Once our doctor has made a diagnosis as to which type of condition you have, treatment will be decided in order to help you manage it. There are medications that can help, as well as exercises that you can do to strengthen the bladder muscles and help stop the leakage. If necessary, surgery might be in order to tighten up pelvic muscles or an enlarged prostate.
While you are undergoing treatment for incontinence or overactive bladder disorder, you can also help yourself manage your condition through absorbent clothing aids and pads to keep any leakage away from your skin. Your skin in that area will become very sensitive and easily irritated. Keeping clean and switching to a lighter detergent will help.