What Is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence refers to one’s inability to control their bladder. Incontinence symptoms can range in severity, from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having persistent and sudden urges to urinate.
What Are the Different Types of Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence can come in many forms, including:
- Stress, which occurs when pressure is placed on the bladder. Urine may leak out when you laugh, sneeze, cough, exercise or lift something heavy.
- Urge, which occurs when you have a sudden, intense urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine. You will often feel the need to urinate, even during the night.
- Overflow, which occurs when the bladder doesn’t empty. You will experience constant, frequent dribbling of urine.
- Functional, which occurs when a mental or physical impairment prevents you from reaching the toilet in time. This can be a common issue for those with severe arthritis.
- Mixed, which occurs when you have more than one of the types above.
What Are the Causes of Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is a symptom, not a disease. It can be caused by underlying medical conditions, physical problems, and even everyday habits. Certain foods, drinks, and medications can stimulate your bladder and increase your volume of urine. Alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, heart and blood pressure medications, and muscle relaxants can all act as diuretics (increased production of urine).
The following can also contribute to persistent bladder issues:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Constipation
- Pregnancy
- Childbirth
- Menopause
- Changes in age
- Bladder stones
- Bladder cancer
- Prior pelvic surgery including hysterectomy.
- An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia).
- Neurological disorders (i.e., back or spine surgery, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, etc.).
Treatment for Urinary Incontinence in Pasadena, CA
At Women’s Center for Pelvic Wellness, expert urogynecologists, Dr. Alexis May Kimble and Dr. David Kimble can help determine a treatment plan for urinary incontinence. Call the office at (626) 535-0832 or book an appointment using the form below, and get on the road to feeling better today.