Author: Emma

Your bladder, once weakened, can betray you: people suffering from overactive bladder face daily problems of frequent urination, sudden urges to urinate, and even accidental urine leakage. Fortunately, there are overactive bladder treatment options. Learn about treatment options so that you can be free from the embarrassing effects of your overactive bladder.

Are you aware of how many times you visit the toilet to urinate? How about at night? According to the Society of Urologic Nurses Association, we urinate at an average frequency of four to six times during daytime and once during nighttime. If you urinate eight or more times in daytime, coupled with two or more times at night, you most likely have an overactive bladder.

Overactive bladder, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, is a health condition involving frequent urination. Overactive bladder symptoms also include nocturia (or nighttime urination) and bedwetting which is caused by the sudden unexpected urge to urinate. Patients who suffer from this type of urinary incontinence commonly experience urge incontinence on top of their overactive bladder syndrome. When overactive bladder syndrome is experienced alongside stress incontinence, this is referred to as mixed incontinence and is a cause for concern. If left uncured, overactive bladder syndrome can lead to irritable bladder syndrome wherein urination is accompanied by pain and/or burning sensation.

Causes of Overactive Bladder Syndrome (OAB)

There are no specific causes of overactive bladder. Most specialists believe that overactive bladder syndrome has multiple causes. Some of these causes are identified by the National Institute of Aging and the Mayo Clinic as follows:
– Weak bladder muscles
– Impaired urinary tract
– Damage to the nerves that control the bladder
– Possible prostate problem in men

With the present advancements in medicine and in the specialized field of urology, you and your health provider can now choose among different kinds of overactive bladder treatment.

Overactive Bladder Treatment

WebMD lists several types of treatment for overactive bladder, which can be grouped as follows:

a. Behavioral Therapy
This first line of treatment involves lifestyle and behavioral changes to help you regain control of your body. This “mind over bladder” approach does not involve drugs and constant medication, but focuses instead on bladder training or timed/scheduled voiding as well as pelvic muscle exercises (also known as kegel exercises) to strengthen your bladder. Patients undergoing this type of treatment are also given tips to minimize incidences of urinary incontinence.

b. Drugs for overactive bladders
Specialists also prescribe anticholinergics, a class of drugs for the treatment of overactive bladder. These drugs are effective in blocking the nerve signals that are responsible for bladder muscle contractions; increasing your bladder capacity; and decreasing your urges to go. Darifenacin (Enablex), Fesoterodine (Toviaz), and Oxybutynin (Ditropan) are just some examples of anticholinergics. Another drug used for relaxing bladder muscles is tricyclic antidepressant imipramine hydrochloride (sold as Tofranil). Your doctor may choose any of these medications according to the severity of your condition and the contra-indications, interactions, and side effects of the drugs.

c. Bladder Surgery
In severe cases of overactive bladder syndrome, surgery may be required, such as bladder augmentation. While surgery is invasive and needs time for recovery, this can result in long-term relief and possible cure for your urinary incontinence.

Overactive bladder symptoms can be managed and the condition itself can be cured given your cooperation with your doctor. Now that you know the common types of overactive bladder treatment, you may want to discuss with your doctor which option works best for you so that you can once more regain bladder control.

Part of an effective treatment for urinary incontinence is the proper diagnosis of which type of incontinence it is. Stress incontinence is just one of half a dozen types of urinary incontinence recognized by specialists. Learn more about this most prevalent type of bladder control problem.

Some stress can make your hands sweat and some can lead to bladder leakage.

If you think you read that wrong, think again: according to the Simon Foundation for Continence, urinary incontinence is more common than we think. It affects men and women across different age groups but it usually goes unreported because of some bladder leakage myths including the one that assumes that bladder leakage only happens to older adults. However, the “stress” in the case of stress incontinence refers to the pressure that affects the bladder, making it leak urine when you least expect it to.

What is Stress Incontinence?

The Mayo Clinic defines stress incontinence (also called stress urinary incontinence or SUI) as a condition where minimal but sudden pressure such as laughing, sneezing, coughing, standing up, bending over, or lifting heavy objects results in bladder leakage. You can see how embarrassing this condition can be for someone who suffers from it. There are quite a number of factors that result in stress incontinence, and according to The Simon Foundation for Continence, some of these factors include:

Neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, or stroke
Prostate problems in men
Pregnancy and childbirth in women
Some types of medications and surgeries
Smoking
Constipation
Diabetes

Treatment for Stress Incontinence

The good news is that stress incontinence is curable and the treatment always begins with comfortable and non-invasive procedures. The American Urological Association lists the following as some of the most common treatment options for urinary stress incontinence:

Bladder Training

Bladder training helps you regain control of your bladder by framing the schedule and frequency of your bathroom visits. This type of bladder training is also called “Timed Voiding” wherein you urinate on a schedule even if you don’t have the urge to urinate. This puts your bladder on a consistent schedule so that bladder leakage will not interfere with your regular routine.

Dietary and Lifestyle Modification

Some types of food and drinks result to an overactive bladder. Sometimes cutting back on caffeine-rich drinks, sodas, alcohol, and other known bladder irritants provide relief. Water intake is also regulated although not greatly decreased since dehydration also results to bladder irritation.

Pelvic Floor Muscle Training

Also called Kegel Exercises, these help to strengthen the sphincter and pelvic floor muscles so that you can regain control of your bladder. Once bladder control is restored, you can avoid having embarrassing bladder accidents.

Surgical Treatments

Surgical treatments are usually your Urologist or Urogynecologist’s last resort. These treatments have positive short-term and long-term results that can cure or help you manage your urinary stress incontinence. Some of the common ones used for treating stress incontinence include bulking agents introduced through periurethral injections and sub-urethral sling procedures.

Your doctor is still the best person to determine which of these treatment options will better benefit you. Seek medical attention for your bladder problem so that you can be free from the stressful effects of stress incontinence.-

Our bladders are muscles that efficiently store and hold in our body’s waste materials and effectively release them once full. Urinary incontinence results when this same muscle weakens. Learn about overflow incontinence and its symptoms, as well as overflow incontinence treatment.

Some questions before we proceed. Do you:
– Urinate frequently?
– Need to strain when passing urine?
– Produce a weak stream of urine?
– Feel like you have not completely emptied?
– Dribble after urinating?

If you have three of these five symptoms, you should get yourself checked up by your doctor or preferably by a urologist. Four out of five, and you have to start testing for overflow incontinence. The list combines all the symptoms of what urologists refer to as Overflow Incontinence.

What Is Overflow Incontinence?

According to the Mayo Clinic, Overflow Incontinence is a type of urinary incontinence which results from a damaged bladder, a blocked urinary tract particularly in the urethra, nerve damage from diabetes or other causes, pelvic organ prolapsed in women, and possible prostate gland problems for men. Some types of medication also have side effects similar to overflow urinary incontinence, although the duration of the condition is short-term and is usually relieved after the medication is discontinued or the original health condition which required the medication is finally treated. Urinary tract infections also have the same effect although to a limited degree and only until the infection is cured.

The National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC) mentions that this type of urinary incontinence is rare in women and is more prevalent in men, especially those who suffer from prostate gland problems. The symptoms basically point to a condition where it “feels” like the bladder never empties, hence the description “overflow”. According to the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA), frequent urination in the case of overflow urinary incontinence means urinating more than 8 times a day and more than 2 times a night. The symptoms indicate that the bladder could not hold or store urine the way it normally does, and that the urinary tract is blocked, which prevents the normal flow of urine.

Other types of bladder leakage include stress incontinence, urge incontinence, functional incontinence, and overactive bladder.

What Are Effective Overflow Incontinence Treatment Options?

Usual procedures done for overflow incontinence include management of symptoms. Surgery is not an option unless the cause is traced to a problem in the prostate gland. For a urethra that has been proven to be blocked, the condition is corrected through medication and some medical devices that are worn to strengthen the urethra.

As with all other health conditions, it’s best to consult with your doctor regarding treatment options that are open for your condition. Most of the time, treating a pre-existing health condition such as diabetes relieves some of the symptoms, and medical devices, medication, and behavior modification can help with in managing the symptoms.-

Light bladder leakage (LBL) is a condition that’s more common than you think. Read on to learn more about LBL and how to stay dry and worry-free.

Light bladder leakage or LBL has been found to afflict almost one in three women over the age of 35. It’s a condition that affects the body’s urinary tract, resulting in bladder weakness and urinary leakage. Bladder leakage sometimes happens in pregnant women during their last trimester, but it shouldn’t be taken lightly when it occurs under normal circumstances. Light bladder leakage can be your body’s temporary response to a urinary tract infection; however, if the leakage is becoming so persistent that you have to start wearing pads even when it’s not your period, then you need to take the first step in getting help by learning more about this health condition.

What is Light Bladder Leakage?

Our bladders are made of muscles that store our body’s liquid waste – in this case, urine – and hold it until the bladders are full and ready to expel the waste material. Bladders usually store around 2 cups of this waste material, which gets expelled around four to eight times in a day depending on your liquid intake and other biological and dietary factors. Ideally, you have control over when the bladder releases urine so you can actually hold it off until you’re ready and near a proper facility. Ideally, too, your bladder muscles will release urine until you’re completely emptied.

In the case of light bladder leakage, either or both of these ideal scenarios do not happen. Instead, you find that some urine – and here, the amount varies from a few drops to a complete emptying of the bladder, depending on severity – escapes immediately after you feel the urge to pee and before you had time to sit down and do it. Some women also experience dribbling after they thought they had completely emptied. This loss of bladder control can be inconvenient and, in severe bladder problems, can be completely debilitating.

What Light Bladder Leakage is not

One of the reasons women fail to seek a permanent solution to their urinary incontinence is because of persistent bladder leakage myths. Now that we’ve described what light bladder leakage is, let’s talk about what it’s not.

Light bladder leakage is not normal. Urologists and Urogynecologists agree that urinary incontinence, while not a disease per se, is a clear indication of a health problem that affects not just the urinary tract but other organs and bodily functions as well.

The Mayo Clinic would add that light bladder leakage at any age is not normal (except for babies), so there’s no reason to think that these “accidents” happen with advanced age; as a matter of fact, the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) revealed that LBL happens in younger women particularly in athletes who engage in certain high-impact sports such as aerobics, running, and gymnastics that may affect the female body’s pelvic floor muscles.

Finally, a leaky bladder is not a problem you should be dealing with in silence. Doctors are aware of this condition and are trained to make sure you get the best attention while seeking treatment. Treatment options are usually lifestyle-related and only severe cases require surgery. Talk to your doctor now so you can get the relief you deserve from your bladder problem.

Dealing with urinary incontinence includes management of the symptoms. Here’s a guide to essential incontinence supplies you may need to make sure you stay clean and comfortable all day.

When you have urinary incontinence, it’s important to include incontinence products in your list of essentials. This article offers tips to guide you in determining what you need, as far as buying incontinence products and beyond.

Step 1: Know Which Incontinence Products You Need

Below are the four common categories of incontinence products: all the materials, accessories, and supplies you will need.

a. Incontinence Products for Men
If you wish to do away with incontinence pads and adult diapers, you can buy penile clamps (keeps the urethra closed to control bladder leakage), condom catheters (worn like a condom to capture bladder leakage), and one-piece male external urinary collection devices (comes in various configurations with specially-designed briefs).

b. Incontinence Products for Women
Aside from disposable absorbent products, women can also use urethral inserts (prevents leakage), female urinals (good for women with restricted mobility), and pessaries (compresses the urethra for increased bladder control).

c. Disposable Products
Includes liners, pads, male drip collectors, male guards, collector underwear, fitted brief (with or without elastic legs), protective underwear, and incontinence pants and pads system

d. Reusable Products
Includes reusable liners, stretch mesh briefs, contoured flat cloths, leak resistant incontinence pants, female-style panties, men’s protective support, men’s fitted briefs, and boxer-style shorts

e. Skincare Products
Prevent odor, skin rashes, and infection by using appropriate skincare products. These include wet wipes/wash cloths, perineal cleansers, moisturizing creams and lotions, barrier creams/ointments, film-forming skin protectorant, and antibacterial/antifungal creams.

Step 2: Look for the Right Incontinence Supplies Store

1. Shopping online is the best option if you wish to maintain anonymity. Home Delivery

Incontinence Supplies guarantees discreet delivery of your orders. L.Medico.com also delivers your package in unmarked packages for discreet home delivery.

2. When shopping on online stores, read reviews of the products and check for product rating. Check out the business as well in terms of their customer service, shipping and delivery, additional services, and company policy on product returns. Allegro Medical has customer testimonials and an auto-reorder system which makes it easy for repeat customers to place and receive their orders.

3. If it’s your first time shopping for disposable incontinence supplies, try buying smaller sets first. As with any product, it’s always wise to try several brands to make sure you get the best fit. Disposable Medical Express offers by-piece purchases so that you can test different incontinence supplies without overstocking on products which turn out to be unsatisfactory to you. You can also take advantage of free product samples.

Step 3: Buy The Supplies You Need

1. Request for the store’s product catalog so you can browse with ease on their selection of incontinence supplies.

2. Find the perfect fit! Even the most absorbent products leak when they don’t fit you the way they should.

3. One-day shipping and home delivery are your friends! Compare delivery and shipping options for different online stores and be on the lookout for free shipping offers.

4. Sign up for additional services that allow you to automatically purchase and receive products on a monthly basis.

Step 4: Use Incontinence Supplies Wisely!

1. Keep your disposable incontinence supplies such as adult diapers and other incontinence pads well-supplied and within your easy access. These are products which you wouldn’t want to drive hours (and risk bladder accidents) to the nearest store just to buy.

2. Take note of special washing directions for incontinence pants, underwear, mattresses, etc.

3.  In case of rashes and allergic reactions, immediately discontinue use until you have talked to your doctor about it.

Specialists in urologic diseases usually start treatment for urinary incontinence at the most basic level, but when this is not enough, there are several surgical treatments that are proven effective in resolving persistent bladder control problems. Learn more about the types of bladder leakage surgery.

When it comes to treating urinary incontinence, doctors first determine which type of urinary incontinence a patient is suffering from. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information, urinary incontinence surgery can only help patients with stress incontinence and not those with other types of bladder leakage such as urge incontinence and overactive bladder. Consult with a specialist regarding other treatment options available for your specific condition.

Why Urinary Incontinence May Require Surgery

Like all urologic diseases, the problem with urinary incontinence is that the urinary tract and the organs that are part of it – bladder, urethra, pelvic floor muscles, etc. – are weakened or are not in their normal state. When diagnosed early, these problems can be treated with changes in diet, voiding schedule, medication, etc. along with the introduction of pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegel exercises) and some bladder leakage products for the management of urine leakages.

However, in several cases, the organ itself needs direct attention. This is where surgery enters the picture. Most types of surgery for bladder leakage are minimally invasive and are proven effective based on years of research and clinical studies conducted by reputable medical associations such as the American Urological Association (AUA), the American Urologic Society (AUGS), and the National Association for Continence (NAFC).

Types of Urinary Incontinence Surgery

The Mayo Clinic lists the following types of bladder leakage surgery particularly for stress incontinence:

 Sub-urethral sling procedures
In this type of stress incontinence surgery, a material (a synthetic soft mesh, a tissue from your own body, or tissue from a cadaver) is used to act as a sling or hammock to support your bladder and improve the way it stores and releases urine. This procedure is minimally invasive, proven effective, and has short recovery time.

Bladder Suspension Surgery
Another type of stress incontinence surgery is the bladder suspension surgery or bladder neck surgery which restores a sagging bladder into its normal position. These surgeries are more invasive, proven effective, but have longer recovery time.

Artificial Urinary Sphincter
This surgery is most commonly used for men with prostate problems that lead to their bladder control problems. The operation includes implanting a device to help you keep your bladder shut tight – therefore preventing urine leakage – until you are ready to empty your bladder.

Your doctor will decide on which type of bladder leakage surgery to use based on your organ structure, your body’s capacity to undergo a surgery, and the specialist’s expertise.

You or your loved ones don’t have to suffer through stress incontinence. Talk to your doctor now to know whether or not bladder leakage surgery is the solution for your urinary incontinence

According to the American Urological Association, the chances of developing bladder leakage are higher in women than in men. Find out how to treat bladder leakage in women, as well as tips on prevention for women who have high risk of experiencing female incontinence.

The American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS) estimated that about 30% to 50% of women experience urinary incontinence or overactive bladder (OAB). While bladder leakage in women is far from life threatening, it has a negative impact on women’s quality of life as women try to deal with embarrassing urine leakages.

Because of its sensitive nature, a bladder problem has become one of the most under-reported health conditions; a survey by the National Association for Continence revealed that people wait seven years on the average before seeking treatment for their urinary incontinence. By then, the bladder leakage is already disrupting life’s normalcy and the treatment options available to deal with it are already costly.

What Causes Bladder Leakage in Women?

Bladder leakage in women can be short-term or long-term, depending on the cause. Bladder leakage during pregnancy is relatively normal, although the amount of leakage is only minimal compared to long-term and severe cases of bladder leakage. Infections in the urinary tract and vaginal area can also contribute to bladder leakages. Alcohol, caffeine and artificial sweeteners, as well as certain drugs such as diuretics, and unhealthy habits such as smoking also irritate the bladder and result in an overactive bladder in women. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information (NKUDI), temporary incontinence usually goes away once the causes are known and treated.

The following are some of the risk factors of developing bladder leakage in women:

•   Pregnancy and childbirth
•   Chronic constipation
•   Neurological conditions
•   Pelvic radiation therapy
•   Weak pelvic floor muscles

Bladder leakage in women takes several forms which include stress incontinence wherein bladder leakage occurs while exercising, lifting objects, and bending over, or when a sudden pressure is applied to the diaphragm such as when sneezing, coughing, or laughing; urge incontinence, wherein a person experiences a sudden urge to urinate and the urine escapes immediately in drops or completely before there’s time to reach the bathroom; and overactive bladder, or urination that’s very frequent and disruptive of normal daily activities.

Treatment Options for Female Incontinence

Fortunately, 80% to 90% of women who undergo treatment eventually regain control of their bladder control problems. The different categories of treatment for bladder control problems according to the Mayo Clinic include:

•  Behavioral Technique-Requires behavior and lifestyle changes to minimize and completely eliminate bladder control problems in women
•  Physical Therapy-Includes pelvic floor muscle exercises or Kegel exercises; also, mild electrical stimulation of the rectum or vagina to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles
• Medications-Includes anticholinergics, topical estrogen, imipramine, and duloxetine and used along with behavioral techniques
•  Medical Devices-Includes pessary and urethral inserts specifically designed for women
•  Interventional Therapies-Nerve stimulations and injections that strengthen the organs and muscles in the urinary tract
•  Surgery-Minimally invasive operation that are proven effective in treating long-term bladder problems in women
• Absorbent pads and catheters-Used in the management of symptoms of bladder leakage in women

Your doctor can determine which treatment options are best for you or your loved one. Now is the time to seek medical attention for your bladder control problems. The high success rate will ensure that you can get back in control of your bladder and be free of embarrassing bladder accidents.