Incontinence

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is a common urinary issue in which you lose control of your bladder sometimes. Women are the most common sufferers of urinary incontinence, but it becomes more common in both sexes with age. 

The intensity of urinary incontinence symptoms can vary, from minor sporadic accidents to daily accidents that make it impossible to sleep, work, and keep up with your regular daily activities. 

What are the different kinds of urinary incontinence?

There are several kinds of urinary incontinence, including: 

Stress urinary incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence makes you accidentally urinate, often in small amounts, when your bladder is stressed. Nearly any kind of abdominal pressure can trigger accidental urination, but it’s most common when laughing, sneezing, or making other sudden movements. 

Stress urinary incontinence is most common in women and is especially common among women who’ve given birth vaginally.

Urge urinary incontinence

Urge urinary incontinence causes a sudden need to urinate, which results in failure to reach the toilet on time. When overactive bladder symptoms go untreated, urge incontinence becomes quite common.

Mixed urinary incontinence

Many urinary incontinence sufferers have symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence, which is called mixed incontinence.

Overflow urinary incontinence

Overflow urinary incontinence causes accidental urination because your bladder never fully empties. This type of incontinence sometimes occurs in men who have prostate disease.

Functional urinary incontinence

Functional urinary incontinence is related to non-urological conditions or issues. Triggers may include medication side effects, mental conditions like dementia, or physical ailments like spinal arthritis. 

If you’re suffering from accidental urination, visit an experienced urologist at Arizona Urology as soon as possible. Your urologist can diagnose the type of incontinence and create a plan to relieve your symptoms as soon as possible.

How is urinary incontinence treated?

Your Arizona Urology urologist prescribes treatment according to the type of incontinence and symptoms you’re experiencing. 

Lifestyle changes, including scheduled urination, a bladder diary, and fluid management, can help in some cases. Medication is helpful for some kinds of urinary incontinence, as well. 

Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) with the InterStim™ device is one of today’s most advanced urinary incontinence treatments. Your Arizona Urology urologist implants the tiny InterStim device in the hip area during an outpatient appointment. 

The InterStim works by restoring the path of communication between your brain and sacral nerves. This improved nerve signaling can greatly reduce or even eliminate urinary incontinence. 

Your Arizona Urology specialist will prescribe a urinary incontinence treatment that’s ideal for you, so schedule your appointment by calling the office nearest you now.