For a great many women, urinary incontinence can be such a problem that it causes extreme embarrassment in almost any situation. For instance, just playing with your kids outside or going to a workout class might have to be avoided because of the possibility of an accident. Scientists tell us that half of all women aged 20 and above will experience some level of incontinence, although it happens more frequently with women who are older, or with those who have been through childbirth. Here are some things to know about urinary incontinence which will help you improve your quality of life, and continue doing some of the activities you love to do.

Types Of Incontinence

One of the most common types of urinary incontinence is known as stress incontinence, and this will occur when you cough, sneeze, or exercise. The extra pressure from those activities pushes urine beyond the urethra and causes incontinence. The second type of incontinence is known as urge incontinence, and this condition happens when you can’t wait to empty your bladder before reaching the bathroom. The third type of incontinence is known as overflow, and this is somewhat rarer than the other two types, causing frequent urinary leakage because the bladder is constantly full.

Underlying Conditions

It happens fairly often that incontinence occurs as a result of aging, simply because kidneys are older and they produce more urine. In addition to that, the bladder often cannot hold as much urine as when you were younger. Leakage can also indicate some more serious medical condition, even perhaps being a warning sign of a heart problem. Many individuals have fluid that pools in their legs during the daytime, and then when they sleep at night, the fluid gets redistributed and produces a higher volume of urine. In order to be sure whether or not your bladder leakage is a sign of a more serious health condition, you should consult with your family doctor.

Treatment Options

There are actually quite a few options available that can reduce the impact of bladder leakage, regardless of your age. Lifestyle changes can help the situation, for instance, if you eat more fiber so as to reduce constipation, decrease the number of fluids you drink, and lower your caffeine intake. When leakage causes noticeable discomfort, Kegel exercises have proven to be effective by isolating pelvic muscles and making them stronger, thus helping to control urine flow. 

There are also some invasive procedures that might be considered, such as Botox injections, which are aimed at treating urgency incontinence. For more than 10 years now, Botox has been used to treat urinary incontinence, and it works by injecting the substance into the bladder wall, helping it to relax. 

Another process you might consider is known as the sling procedure, and this calls for a sling to be placed under the urethra so as to prevent incontinence that occurs as a result of abdominal pressure generated by activities like running, coughing, or jumping. This is a relatively minor surgical procedure that calls for the sling to be emplaced either through a small incision in the abdomen or through the vaginal opening. 

Contact us today in order to find out more about the process best suited to your own physical needs.