Urinary urgency and it’s involuntary leaking can be a frustrating and embarrassing condition. It is common among older adults and affects both men and women. This problem, called urgency incontinence or overactive bladder, can have a significant impact on your daily life, causing anxiety and affecting your social relationships. Fortunately, there are effective ways to manage urinary urgency. In this blog post, we will discuss its causes, symptoms, and treatment options, so keep reading. URGENCY INCONTINENCE
What Causes Urgency Incontinence?
Urgency incontinence can be caused by various factors, including:
- Muscle Weakness: Weak pelvic floor muscles can contribute to the inability to control the bladder effectively. These muscles play a crucial role in maintaining urinary continence.
- Nerve Damage: Conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injuries can damage the nerves responsible for bladder control, leading to urgency incontinence.
- Urinary Tract Infections: Infections in the urinary tract can irritate the bladder and result in a sudden urge to urinate.
- Bladder Irritants: Certain foods and beverages, such as caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and artificial sweeteners, can irritate the bladder and trigger episodes of urgency incontinence.
- Medications: Some medications, including diuretics, sedatives, and muscle relaxants, may increase the risk of urgency incontinence.
Diagnosing Urgency Incontinence
To diagnose urgency incontinence, a healthcare professional will typically perform a thorough evaluation, which may include:
- Medical History: Discussing symptoms, past medical conditions, and medications taken.
- Physical Examination: Assessing the pelvic area to check for signs of muscle weakness or other abnormalities.
- Urinalysis: Analyzing a urine sample to rule out infections or other underlying conditions.
- Bladder Diary: Keeping a record of fluid intake, urine output, and episodes of urgency incontinence over a specified period.
In some cases, additional tests such as urodynamic testing or cystoscopy may be recommended to further evaluate bladder function.
Treating Urgency Incontinence
Several treatment options are available for managing urgency incontinence. These include:
- Behavioral Therapies: Techniques such as bladder training, scheduled voiding, and pelvic floor exercises can help improve bladder control and reduce the frequency of urgency incontinence episodes.
- Medications: Certain medications, such as anticholinergics or beta-3 agonists, can help relax the bladder muscles and reduce the urge to urinate.
- Electrical Stimulation: This therapy involves using mild electrical pulses to stimulate the nerves that control bladder function, helping improve muscle control and reduce urgency incontinence symptoms.
- Injections: Botulinum toxin injections into the bladder muscle can temporarily paralyze the muscle, reducing the frequency of urgency incontinence episodes.
- Surgical Interventions: In severe cases that do not respond to other treatments, surgical options like bladder augmentation or urinary diversion procedures may be considered.
Coping Strategies for Urgency Incontinence
Living with urgency incontinence can be challenging, but there are coping strategies that can help individuals manage their condition effectively:
- Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Avoid bladder irritants such as caffeine and alcohol, maintain a healthy weight, and stay hydrated.
- Practice Pelvic Floor Exercises: Regularly performing exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles can improve bladder control.
- Use Protective Products: Wearing absorbent pads or underwear can provide confidence and minimize the impact of any leakage.
- Plan Ahead: If you know certain situations trigger urgency incontinence, plan accordingly by locating accessible restrooms or wearing clothing that is easy to remove.
- Seek Support: Joining support groups or seeking advice from healthcare professionals can provide emotional support and practical tips for managing urgency incontinence.