Symptoms of urinary incontinence are very common and can affect both men and women. Depending on the underlying cause, incontinence can occur at any age. Some common causes include pelvic floor muscle weakness, diabetes, kidney disease, and obesity. However, the majority of cases can be controlled and even reversed with treatment.
The best way to determine the cause of incontinence is to talk to a family doctor. Your physician may ask you for a sample of your urine. He or she may also request a diary of your urination habits. This can help your doctor to diagnose urinary incontinence and tailor a treatment plan to your specific needs.
Your doctor may also order a test to check the lining of your urethra and bladder. A cystoscope is a thin tube with a light at one end that is inserted into your urethra. This tests the lining of the urethra and bladder and enables the doctor to diagnose incontinence.
Your doctor may also suggest a urinalysis, which is a laboratory test that checks the amount of urine left in your bladder after you urinate. This can help your doctor assess the lining of your urethra, as well as any infection. A urine culture is another procedure that helps the doctor to determine if you have a urinary tract infection. A urinalysis will also allow your doctor to check for substances, chemicals, and blood in your urine.
Other symptoms that can indicate incontinence include pressure on the abdomen during urination, a strong urge to urinate, and leaking during coughing. If these symptoms are present, it is possible that you have a condition called stress incontinence. During stress incontinence, you suddenly feel the need to urinate, and the muscles in your lower stomach contract, causing a leak.
Your doctor may recommend a urodynamic test to measure the pressure in your bladder. A catheter may be inserted into your bladder to measure the amount of urine that your bladder can hold. These tests can also be used to see if you have any infections or cancer cells in your bladder.
If you have an enlarged prostate, your doctor might recommend surgery. If your doctor believes that the underlying cause of your incontinence is a weakened pelvic floor, he or she may suggest strengthening it with special physical therapy. If you are experiencing urgency incontinence, your doctor may prescribe drugs to calm your overactive bladder. Most current medications for this condition work by stimulating b3 receptors, which promote relaxation.
For mild to moderate incontinence, pads are often recommended. These absorbent pads can be purchased at a pharmacy or online. These are helpful for people who want to avoid the embarrassment of urinating during certain activities.
If you have severe incontinence, you might be referred to a urologist. This doctor will perform a comprehensive evaluation to determine the cause of your incontinence and any exacerbating factors. He or she will then create a plan of action to improve your incontinence. It is important to discuss the benefits and risks of all the options available to you, as well as how they will affect your quality of life.
