Stress-Related Urinary Incontinence: Symptoms and Treatment
Many people in America experience urinary incontinence, which is a lack of control over the body's urinary tract. Something as simple as a sneeze, cough or laugh can result in a bladder leak.
Stress incontinence is the most common form of this health problem, and it is most often found in older women who have given birth.
What is Stress Incontinence?
Stress incontinence happens when too much abdominal pressure is placed on the bladder. The muscles and the supportive tissue of the bladder are typically what regulate the flow of urine. When these muscles and tissue weaken, it becomes more difficult to control the hold and release of urine.
What Causes Stress Incontinence?
- Childbirth. The pelvic muscles of the abdomen can weaken from nerve damage because of giving birth to a child.
- Prostatectomy. Some men have their prostates removed to treat prostate cancer. A prostatectomy can weaken the sphincter (muscle that maintains the passage of urine and feces).
- Psychological stress. Experiencing emotional or mental stress on an ongoing basis can hurt your body's physiology more than you may realize. Out-of-control stress levels can change the chemical makeup of your body so that you are more prone to bladder leakage.
- Obesity. Incontinence has often been linked to obesity and being overweight. One method of fighting incontinence can be through weight loss.Medical studies have shown that weight reduction can reduce incontinence problems.
- Menstruation. A woman's menstrual cycle can weaken the body's urethra.
- Menopause. During menopause, a woman's hormones start to shift. Her ovaries stop producing estrogen, which can lead to mood swings, hot flashes and even bladder issues.
- Smoking. As well as other conditions that encourage a chronic cough.
- Constipation. A common cause of urinary incontinence.
When Should You Get Treatment for Stress Incontinence?
Due to the nature of the condition, urinary incontinence can strike at any time. The symptoms of stress incontinence include urine leakage, a lack of bowel control, and urinary "squirts" during times of movement such as exercise.
Incontinence is an embarrassing condition that can negatively affect your life. If you believe you have stress incontinence, then it may be time to consult a urologist to seek treatment. A certified urologist can check out your urinary health, diagnose you and provide you with the best treatment options available.
Treatment Options for Urinary Incontinence.
Typically, a physician will provide you with either physical therapy, medication or some kind of surgical procedure. While there aren't a lot of medications to treat incontinence, one antidepressant called Cymbalta has shown positive results.
There are also surgeries that can repair the bladder and the urethra. For example, a sling procedure can provide more support to a weakened urethra.
Collagen injections are another type of surgery that helps strengthens the sphincter muscle. If you are not comfortable with surgery or medication, then therapy is another option to undertake. Physical therapy can include lifestyle changes like avoiding bladder irritants. It can also include pelvic muscle training such as Kegel exercises.