While many people may experience urinary incontinence as they get older, it is not “just a normal part of aging,” and there are many things you can do to manage it and prevent it from interfer- ing with your lifestyle.
The Urology Care Foundation notes there are four types of urinary inconti- nence, which follow.
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) This is the most common type of in- continence, resulting from stretching of the pelvic floor muscles and extra pressure placed upon the bladder. The pelvic floor may be weakened during childbirth, for example, and the condi- tion may persist afterwards. Stress incontinence is most common in older women and less common in men. It can cause urine to leak from the bladder when there is added pressure, such as coughing, sneezing or laughing, or during physical activities, such as walk- ing, bending and lifting. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor can be used to manage this condition. In severe cases, surgery may be considered.
Overactive Bladder (OAB) This condition is known as “urgency” incontinence because it makes the person feel an urgent need to urinate — often during the night — even when the bladder is not full. It affects more than 30 percent of men and 40 percent of women. It is often associated with prostate problems in men and with menopause in women. An estimated 33
million Americans live with OAB, but it’s hard to know an exact figure since many people are too embarrassed to report it.
In addition to Kegel exercises, there are a wide variety of treatments for OAB. Your healthcare provider may suggest losing weight if you are over- weight, reducing fluids or not drink- ing at certain times, double voiding (that is, trying to urinate a second time immediately after emptying the blad- der), scheduling trips to the bathroom instead of waiting until you feel the urge to go, using a catheter periodically, wearing absorbent pads, bladder train- ing or taking medication.
A Combination of SUI and OAB Some people experience both an urgent need to urinate and some leakage dur- ing physical activity.
Overflow Incontinence This happens when the body makes more urine than the bladder can hold or when the bladder cannot empty once it is full, due to blockage or the inability of bladder muscles to contract. This results in a constant “dribbling” from the bladder. It is most common in men who have prostate problems or who have had prostate surgery. It is rare in women. It can also be caused by nerve or muscle damage resulting from Par- kinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or spina bifida. Treatment for this type of inconti- nence will require consultation with your provider and may involve both catheterization and surgery.
