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Bladder Incontinence—You Are Not Alone

Bladder incontinence is an annoying problem that affects millions of adults around the world. Bladder incontinence is when urine leaks out before you can reach a bathroom. Many people believe that wearing pads or adult diapers can control this problem and nothing else. The good news we have to share is; bladder incontinence can be controlled and treated!

The facts about bladder incontinence include these:

* More women than men are likely to suffer from bladder incontinence

* There are ways to treat the problem

* Any leakage from the bladder is not normal for anyone of any age

* Older people are more likely to have urinary leakage problems

* Bladder incontinence can be stopped or slowed for nearly everyone, even those patients who are older and not in good health

Bladder incontinence can be caused by an illness. The illness can go away but incontinence problems may continue. Vaginal infections can cause incontinence, constipation, and some medicines can cause a temporary problem with bladder incontinence. These problems may cause a temporary incontinence but there are problems that can cause the leakage to last longer.

A weak bladder, weakening muscles around the bladder, blocked urinary passage, or damage of the nerves that control the bladder, may cause incontinence that lasts longer. Women who have had children often will experience incontinence when they cough, laugh, sneeze, or other physical activity can cause incontinence problems. Please note that these bladder incontinence problems could be treated by exercise, medications, or surgery.

One of the easiest ways to control bladder incontinence is bladder training. You should limit your fluids right before bed but continue to drink your normal fluid intake during the day. You can train your bladder by setting a specific time to urinate. You may want to start out at once an hour. If you can stay dry for that time, you can slowly increase your time between visits to the bathroom. Avoiding drinks with caffeine may also help your bladder control problem.

Bladder exercises may also help strengthen the muscles around the bladder so you can hold your urine longer. The exercise is easy to do; you just tighten the muscles when urinating to stop the flow. Hold your muscles tight for four to ten seconds and then relax your muscles for the same time. Practicing this exercise for several weeks and increasing the time you keep your muscles tight will help clear up your incontinence problem. Your doctor may also suggest a small device that can be place in the vagina or rectum to stimulate the muscles that control urine. This device may help the muscles get stronger faster. The device is not necessary if you are able to practice tightening and relaxing your muscles each time you urinate.

Other methods of dealing with bladder incontinence include drugs, surgery, or by inserting a catheter into the bladder by a doctor to drain the urine into an attacked plastic bag. The use of a catheter may be considered if nothing else has helped control bladder incontinence.