Urinary Incon​tinence

Urinary incontinence is a common occurrence, particularly in older women, but when it begins to negatively affect your daily activities, it’s time to see a Urology specialist. Incontinence can range from occasional loss of bladder control when you cough or sneeze to a sudden urge to urinate that makes it nearly impossible to make it to the bathroom on time.

Types of Urinary Incontinence

There are several different types of incontinence, all of which the Urology specialists at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in Houston are highly skilled in treating.

• Stress incontinence occurs when there’s pressure on your bladder caused by coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, or heavy lifting.
• Overflow incontinence is a frequent or constant dribble of urine due to the bladder not emptying completely.
• Urge incontinence is the sudden, intense urge to urinate with little to no bladder control. It’s also marked by the need to urinate often. It can be caused by a minor condition such as a urinary tract infection or by something more serious.
• Functional incontinence is due to having a physical or mental impairment, such as severe arthritis or Parkinson’s Disease, that causes a delayed ability to get to the bathroom.

If you experience more than one type of urinary incontinence, it is considered a mixed condition. It’s important to remember that urinary incontinence is a symptom and not a disease in itself. Our Urology specialists can perform a thorough evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your loss of bladder control.

Causes and Treatment

In most cases, urinary incontinence can be treated with lifestyle changes and/or medication. And, many times, treatment can help alleviate the discomfort of incontinence or end the condition altogether.

The treatment is determined by the underlying cause of the condition. Some common causes include:

• Urinary tract infection (UTI)
• Constipation
• Pregnancy
• Childbirth
• Advancing age
• Menopause
• Hysterectomy
• Enlarged prostate
• Tumor obstruction
• Neurological disorders

Your Urology specialist will likely recommend a urinalysis, keeping a diary of urination over several days, and possibly more tests to determine the underlying cause of the incontinence.

Depending upon the severity and cause of your urinary incontinence, treatment may include bladder training, scheduled bathroom trips, diet management, pelvic floor exercises, absorbent pads, the use of a catheter, and medication.

If urinary incontinence is interfering with your quality of life or becoming increasingly worse, make an appointment with one of the Urology specialists at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic in Houston today.