If you are suffering from urinary incontinence, you are not alone. Urinary incontinence, or loss of bladder control, can happen to anyone, but is most common in older women. At least one in 10 people over age 65 has this problem. Symptoms can range from mild to uncontrollable wetting and can occur for many reasons.
There are several different types of urinary incontinence, but the most common is stress incontinence, which occurs when urine releases during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing and lifting heavy objects or other body movements that cause pressure on the bladder. In fact, this is the most common bladder control problem in younger and middle-age women and often related to childbirth. It may also begin around the time of menopause.
Ask yourself the following questions to determine if you suffer from urinary incontinence:
- Do you have the sudden and uncontrollable urge to urinate?
- Do you have to urinate more than 7-8 times a day, or more frequently than every 2 hours?
- Do you get up to use the bathroom more than 1-2 times per night?
- Do you have painful or difficult urination, or do you feel like you are unable to completely empty your bladder?
- Have your bladder issues altered your quality of life?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then your bladder is not functioning properly. Common causes of bladder dysfunction consist of loss of muscle support to the bladder and urethra; repetitive lifting of heavy items or high impact sports; complicated childbirth, episiotomies, perineal tears, nerve damage, or pelvic trauma can lead to incontinence.
Incontinence in males can be caused by an enlarged prostate gland or damage to the urethral sphincter or pelvic muscles from the treatment of prostate disorders.
How to gain back control of your bladder?
According to Lakewood Hospital Physical Therapist, Kasey Johnson, physical therapy has been a proven treatment for urinary incontinence and related urinary problems like urgency and frequency.
“In many cases the pelvic floor muscles are weak; therefore, not supporting the organs, like the bladder or uterus, that are more prone to prolapse or drop down from the normal location,” says Johnson. Once referred to urinary incontinence therapy, a licensed physical therapist can assess your pelvic floor strength and work with you to strengthen and contract the muscles effectively to prevent leaks. Additionally, the therapist will develop an individualized home exercise program to manage the symptoms and allow you to gain control of your bladder. In order to get started with urinary incontinency therapy, you will need a referral from your doctor.
For more information about urinary incontinence therapy at Lakewood Hospital, please call 216.227.2610.
Consider joining us at a free health talk regarding female urinary incontinence therapy.
For Women Only: Treatment of Incontinence
Thursday, September 24
11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lakewood Senior Health Campus, Assisted Living
1381 Bunts Ave., Lakewood
Reservations: 1.877.234.FITT (3488)