Urinary Incontinence And How To Treat it
Urinary incontinence (UI) is defined by the International Continence Society as an “involuntary loss of urine which is objectively a demonstrable, social, and hygienic problem”. UI is a very common, but not normal, problem affecting both men and women. There are three main types of urinary incontinence:
Stress Urinary Incontinence is uncommon in men, but, when present, is usually associated with prostate surgery.
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)
Over Active Bladder Incontinence (OAB) sometimes also called Urgency Incontinence
Mixed Urinary Incontinence which is a blend of both
Overactive Bladder (OAB)
According to the American Urological Association OAB affects more than 30% of men and 40% of women in the U.S and increases with advancing age. The main symptom of OAB is the need to urinate. This includes a feeling of needing to urinate when the bladder isn’t necessarily full, and some people find that urine leaks before there is time to get to a toilet.
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)
SUI is defined as the involuntary loss of urine on effort of physical exertion or on sneezing or coughing. This is one of the most common lower urinary tract disorders for which women seek medical attention. It is uncommon in men, but, when present, is usually associated with prostate surgery.
Treatment
Treatment for OAB and SUI are often very similar: Pelvic floor exercises is generally the first choice of treatment for physical therapists and physicians. A physical therapist can teach the correct way to do these exercises and ensure that the appropriate muscles are being employed.
For OAB, the treatment includes a regimen of the above plus bladder retraining to train the bladder to hold urine more effectively and lifestyle modification such as avoiding caffeinated beverages, spicy foods and other bladder irritants, fluid restriction prior to bedtime, and losing weight.
The physical therapists at Physical Therapy and Wellness Center are highly skilled at treating both types of urinary incontinence. If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the above symptoms of urinary incontinence call us today for an appointment. 530-529-3636.
