Taking Control: 3 Tips to Help With Urinary Incontinence
Accidents happen, but you don’t have to suffer in silence with urinary incontinence.
If you’re experiencing urine leakage, there is help. Get the facts about diagnosis and treatment options—and then speak with the doctor.
The Facts about Incontinence
For older women, incontinence can be caused by weak or overactive bladder muscles, weak pelvic floor muscles, or damage to nerves that control the bladder.
For older men, incontinence is usually related to the prostate gland, such as a blockage from an enlarged prostate. Inflammation of the prostate gland, or damage to nerves or muscles due to surgery are other causes.
Health conditions that make it hard to get up and around— like arthritis—mean it’s tough to get to the toilet in time.
There are different types of urinary incontinence. An accurate diagnosis is key to finding the right treatment for you. The doctor will likely start with blood and urine tests.
3 Tips to Help With Urinary Incontinence
After talking with the doctor, you might learn simple steps that can help with:
- Pelvic Exercises: Exercises help strengthen the pelvic muscles that control bladder flow.
- Timed Voiding: Time voiding means using the restroom on a regular schedule, such as every hour, then gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits. Set up a routine with a timer or alarm.
- Lifestyle Changes: Lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, avoiding alcohol and caffeine, and opting for water instead of other beverages help.
If these tips don’t work, medication or in-office treatments could ease the issue. Surgery might help if the problem is caused by the position of the bladder or a blockage caused by an enlarged prostate.
Work closely with your doctor to find a solution that could work for you. It may be possible to eliminate the issue completely!
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This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Kumar Dharmarajan.
Photo credit: iStock
