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ASGHAR AFSARI, MD, PC

Urogynecology,<a name='Incontinence'>Urinary Incontinence</a>,St. John, St John, St. Johns, St Johns, Health, St. John Health, Hospital, Detroit, Michigan, Health Care, doctor, doctors, physician, physicians
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Urinary Incontinence

Causes and Simple New Treatments for Urinary Incontinence

     Many people lose urine when they don't want to. When this happens enough to be a problem, it is called urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is very common. But some people are too embarrassed to get help. The good news is that millions of women are being successfully treated and cured. Urodynamic testing can help determine your problem right in the doctors office.

     Urinary incontinence is not a natural part of aging. It can happen at any age, and can be caused by many physical conditions. Many causes of incontinence are temporary and can be managed with simple treatment. Some causes of temporary incontinence are:

  • Urinary tract infection
  • Vaginal infection or irritation
  • Constipation
  • Effects of medicine

     Incontinence can be caused by other conditions that are not temporary. Other causes of incontinence are:

  • Weakness of muscles that hold the bladder in place
  • Weakness of the bladder itself
  • Weakness of the urethral sphincter muscles
  • Overactive bladder muscles
  • Blocked urethra
  • Hormone imbalance in women
  • Neurologic disorders
  • Immobility (not being able to move around)

     In almost every case, these conditions can be treated. Your health care provider will help to find the exact cause of your incontinence.

     There are also many different types of incontinence. Some people have more than one type of incontinence. You should be able to identify the type of incontinence you have by comparing it to the list below:

URGE INCONTINENCE:

     People with urge incontinence lose urine as soon as they feel a strong need to go to the bathroom. If you have urge incontinence you may leak urine:

  • When you can't get to the bathroom quickly enough.
  • When you drink even a small amount of liquid, or when you hear or touch running water.
  • You may also go to the bathroom very often; for example, every two hours during the day and night. You may even wet the bed.

STRESS INCONTINENCE:

     People with stress incontinence lose urine when they exercise or move in a certain way. If you have stress incontinence, you may leak urine:

  • When you sneeze, cough, or laugh
  • When you get up from a chair or get out of bed
  • When you walk or do other exercise
  • You may also go to the bathroom often during the day to avoid accidents

OVERFLOW INCONTINENCE:

     People with overflow incontinence may feel that they never completely empty their bladder. If you have overflow incontinence, you may:

  • Often lose small amounts of urine during the day and night
  • Get up often during the night to go to the bathroom
  • Often feel as if you have to empty your bladder but can't
  • Pass only a small amount of urine but feel as if your bladder is still partly full
  • Spend a long time at the toilet, but produce only a weak, dribbling stream of urine

     Some people with overflow incontinence do not have the feeling of fullness, but they lose urine day and night.

     Once you tell your health care provider about the problem, finding the cause of your urinary incontinence is the next step.

     Your health care provider will talk with you about your medical history and urinary habits. You will have a physical examination and sometimes urine tests. You may have other tests are well.

URODYNAMIC TESTING

     A simple and painless test called "Urodynamic Testing" can be done in the doctor's office and can help pinpoint the cause of your problem.

TREATMENTS

     Three types of treatments are recommended for urinary incontinence:

Behavioral Techniques

     Between 54 and 95 percent of persons using behavioral treatment show significant improvement in their incontinence. Between 12 and 16 percent of persons are cured. There are no risks for this type of treatment.

Medicine

     As much as 77 percent of patients who need medicine to treat their continence show significant improvement, and 44 percent are cured. As with most drugs, there is a risk of having a side effect. If you are taking medicine for other conditions, the drugs could react with each other. Therefore, it is important to work with your doctor and report all of your medicines and any side effects as soon as they happen.

Surgery

     Approximately 78-92 percent of patients who need surgery to treat their incontinence are cured. With any surgery there is a possibility of a risk or complication. It is important to discuss these risks with your surgeon.

     Finally, do chose a surgeon who has been specially trained in this specialty to help you. Dr. Afsari was trained by a world-renowned expert in this field, Dr. C. Paul Hodgkinson from Henry Ford Hospital. He has won several awards from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists for his work in this field.

     Information taken from Urinary Incontinence in Adults, A Patient's Guide, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

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