By TE Cunningham
Have you ever sneezed, coughed or laughed so hard you “peed your pants a little?” That phrase gets thrown around, but to people who actually suffer from regular urinary leaks, it can be a bit more problematic than that.
Urinary stress incontinence may be more common than you think. Over 10% of adult females suffer from this affliction, and, as women age, their risk for incontinence rises. In fact, over 1/3 of women over 65 in the US are estimated to suffer from it, according to research from the Cleveland Clinic.
In addition to the aforementioned sneezing, coughing and laughing, lifting something heavy, exercising, walking, stretching, bending and more can cause the bladder to leak. Sex can be a culprit as well.
Placing physical strain on the bladder results in a weakened pelvic floor, which leads to leakage. In some cases, the urethral sphincter is also involved in the incontinence. The amount of leakage can vary from just a few drops to teaspoons to even more serious leakage.
How does it get to this state, you might ask? There are many causes for incontinence – pregnancy and childbirth are a common factor for women. Diseases beyond those of the urinary tract such as MS and Parkinson’s can have a hand in it too. The situation can be aggravated by certain medications, high fluid intake and certain kinds of food and drinks.
A more serious type of incontinence is urge incontinence, which occurs because of an overactive detrusor muscle. This type of incontinence is typically marked by sudden urges to urinate that result in loss of urine. It is not unusual to experience urine leakage overnight in bed. Other things, such as running water, can also trigger this type of incontinence.
Even worse, incontinence may be an indicator of larger health factors. If you are experiencing frequent urinary tract infections, have blood in your urine or can’t empty your bladder, you should consult a doctor immediately.
Sadly, many people are embarrassed by their symptoms and, as such, do not consult a doctor. If you suffer from some of the symptoms listed above, make sure you consult with a Board Certified Urologist, like the team at Newman Regional Health to find out your options.
Because there are options and treatments, you don’t necessarily have to live with the inconvenience and embarrassment that this medical issue create.
Depending on the type and severity of your diagnosis treatment options might include:
- Physical exercises designed to strengthen the weakened areas
- Medicines prescribed for men or women may include anticholinergics, Aapha blockers, Mirabegron, topical estrogen and more
- Interventional therapies
- Medical devices
- Surgery
If you live in the Emporia, KS area, and are suffering from urinary leaks, call a doctor at Newman Regional Health Urology
Request An Appointment
Newman Regional Health Urologist practice at 1201 W. 12 Ave, Emporia, KS 66801
(620) 343-6800
At Newman Regional Health, our urologist specializes in diagnosing and treating a variety of urology conditions for men and women, such as prostate cancer, urinary incontinence, and pelvic floor disorders.
To learn more more on Urinary Incontinence, watch the video below.
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