What is Incontinence? 5 Things to Know About Bladder Leakage
Bladder leakage. Odds are, you may experience it. But do you know why it happens or how to treat it? Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. When suffering from incontinence, bladder leakage severity can range from occasionally leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising to getting such strong and sudden urges that you are not able to make it to the bathroom in time. While incontinence is quite common, it is certainly not normal, nor is it something you have to live with. Not to mention, it is expensive to manage and can significantly impact your everyday life. Are you suffering from incontinence and not sure how to find relief? Here are five things you should know about bladder leakage to help you take action and regain control.
1. You’re not alone. Incontinence is common.
While it can feel quite lonely and isolating, incontinence is very common. Although men do suffer from incontinence, it affects twice as many women as men. This is due to reproductive health events unique to women, such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, that affect the bladder and muscles that support it. Urinary incontinence can happen to women at any age but is more common in older women. Almost 20% of women ages 49-50 struggle with bladder problems, and more than 4 in 10 women ages 65 and older have urinary incontinence. Again, this condition is common but not normal, nor something you should live with. There are treatment options available for all levels of severity.
2. There are three categories of causes of incontinence.
Incontinence is a symptom of everyday habits, underlying medical conditions, or physical problems. Women may be experiencing incontinence due to temporary medical problems or could be experiencing it as a chronic condition. There are three main categories of incontinence:
Temporary Causes – This category includes things like medications, too much caffeine, or muscle relaxants that may be causing bladder leakage.
Medical Conditions – In this case, bladder leakage is caused by medical problems such as urinary tract infections or constipation.
Persistent Incontinence – Persistent incontinence causes include significant changes to one’s body, like pregnancy, aging, or a hysterectomy.
3. Incontinence negatively impacts your life.
Incontinence can negatively affect your social life, work life, and wallet. In fact, the average woman with incontinence spends $900 a year buying products to help deal with it. Dealing with incontinence can create difficulties in maintaining relationships. 60% of women who suffer from incontinence have reported that they avoid even leaving their own homes. 20% of women have reported quitting physical activities due to bladder leakage. Incontinence can also have a massive impact on sleep. Studies found that between 20-44% of women of reproductive age and 75% of women over 70 years old experience at least one void per night. These nighttime voids and bathroom trips reduce sleep, and a loss of sleep can lead to a loss of mental clarity. Luckily, incontinence is treatable and not something you have to live with for the rest of your life.
4. Incontinence is NOT normal.
Bladder leakage is not normal. It’s not normal in younger women or a normal part of aging. It can be treated—you don’t have to live with incontinence for the rest of your life. There are a variety of exercises and treatments to address different types of incontinence and bladder leakage. You don’t have to miss out on laughing, jumping, exercising, traveling, or working because of incontinence.
5. Treatment options are available.
Your personal treatment plan will depend on the type of incontinence you’re experiencing. It’s important to talk with your doctor about the options available to treat bladder leakage and find which works best for your body. Treatment options include, but aren’t limited to:
Behavior techniques such as bladder training, scheduling bathroom trips, and diet management
Pelvic floor exercises such as Kegels
Medications
Medical devices, such as a pessary
Surgery, including non-mesh insert options
If your urinary incontinence is frequent or becoming more frequent, it’s essential to find a time to speak with a doctor. Don’t let incontinence restrict your activities or lower the quality of your life. It’s good to get help sooner rather than later. In some cases, incontinence can be a sign of an underlying condition.
The Kaldas Center is here to help you take control.
Whether it’s a pessary, non-invasive approach or a 20-minute non-mesh surgical option, the Kaldas Center is here to help you find the right treatment. Learn about all of your options and work with our team to decide which one will work best for you. It’s time to get your life back. Call the Kaldas Center at 920-886-2299.