Uncontrollable leaking of urine from the bladder is known as
urinary incontinence. When the bladder is functioning normally, it
does not empty without your awareness and control. Incontinence may
be caused or made worse by a variety of problems such as
constipation, irritation due to infection, a stone in the bladder
or the use of diuretics. Symptoms of urinary incontinence
include:
Leakage of urine during exercise, laughing, coughing, sneezing, or
lifting
Urine leaking in frequent dribbles
Inability to hold urine long enough to get to the toilet
Embarrassing smell on clothes and in the house
It becomes more common as people get older and affects as many as
one in three Americans age 60 or older, most of whom are women. The
most common kind of urinary incontinence in women is stress
incontinence, which is caused by relaxed pelvic muscles that may
have been stretched or torn during child bearing. The thinning of
tissue due to a lack of estrogen can also weaken the urethral
muscle.
Treatment for urinary incontinence can include:
Kegel exercises to strengthen weak pelvic muscles in women. The
muscles can also be tightened by surgery.
Medication that tightens the urethral muscle, stimulates the
bladder to empty, relaxes an irritable bladder or treats
infection.
Bladder training, which teaches you to empty the bladder on
schedule rather than waiting until you feel the urge.
Incontinence pads, available in all sizes and degrees of
absorbency, to decrease chances or accidents.
Your health care provider will review your history and examine you
to see if the incontinence is caused by an underlying condition
that can be corrected. Your blood and urine will be checked for
infection or other abnormalities. You may be referred to a
urologist or gynecologist for further investigation and
treatment.
Go see a doctor!
