Aging does not cause Urinary
Incontinence. It can occur for many reasons. For example, urinary
tract infections, vaginal infection or irritation, constipation, and
certain medicines can cause bladder control problems that last a short
time. Sometimes Urinary
Incontinence lasts longer.
This might be due to problems such as:
weak bladder muscles,
overactive bladder muscles,
blockage from an enlarged prostate,
damage to nerves that control the bladder from diseases such as multiple
sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, or diseases such as arthritis
that can make walking painful and slow.
Many people with bladder control problems hide the problem from everyone,
even from their doctor. There is no need to do that. In most cases
Urinary
Incontinence can be treated and controlled, if not cured. If you
are having bladder control problems, don’t suffer in silence.
Talk to your doctor.
Bladder Control
The body stores urine in the bladder. During urination, muscles in
the bladder contract or tighten. This forces urine out of the bladder
and into a tube called the urethra that carries urine out of the body.
At the same time, muscles surrounding the urethra relax and let the
urine pass through. Spinal nerves control how these muscles move.
Urinary
Incontinence occurs if the bladder muscles contract or the muscles
surrounding the urethra relax without warning.
Diagnosis
The first step in treating a bladder control problem is to see a doctor.
He or she will give you a physical exam and take your medical history.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and the medicines you use.
He or she will want to know if you have been sick recently or had
surgery. Your doctor also may do a number of tests.
These might include:
urine and blood tests and tests that measure how well you empty your
bladder.
In addition, your doctor may ask you to keep a daily diary of when
you urinate and when you leak urine.
Your pattern of urinating and urine leakage may suggest which type
of Urinary
Incontinence you have.
