Stress Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is any unintentional leakage of urine. It can be caused by several underlying medical conditions, including urinary infections, strokes, pregnancy, obesity, neurological problems, and other health problems sometimes associated with aging. Stress incontinence is a type of urinary incontinence. A person with stress incontinence is unable to hold urine while coughing, sneezing, or laughing or during other movements that put pressure on the bladder, the organ that collects and holds urine. Fortunately, stress incontinence can usually be successfully treated.
When you urinate, the muscles of the bladder tighten and squeeze the urine out through the urethra, a tube that leads from the bladder to the outside of your body. At the same time, muscles surrounding the urethra loosen, allowing the urine to pass through. These muscles can also tighten and squeeze the urethra shut to prevent urine from passing. If these muscles become weak or damaged, they may not be able to hold urine during activities such as sneezing or laughing. The resulting urine leakage may be just a small amount, or if the bladder is full, it may be more.
Urinalysis—testing urine for evidence of infection and other abnormalities
Ultrasound—using sound waves to measure the amount of urine remaining in the bladder after urination
Urodynamics—testing the function of the bladder by filling it with water through a catheter (a tube placed through the urethra into the bladder)
Kegel exercises are designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder and the muscles that surround the urethra
Behavioral treatment involves learning how to gain better control over the muscles involved in urination and incontinence and may include charts or diaries to track urination schedules and episodes of incontinence.
Biofeedback is designed to increase awareness of muscle tension using electrical or pressure sensing devices.
Pelvic floor electrical stimulation uses short pulses of electrical stimulation to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
Collagen injections in the tissues around the urethra can be done to improve holding in urine.
Surgery may improve the support of the bladder and urethra. If you think your are experiencing stress incontinence, see your doctor for an evaluation and consideration of the best treatment for your particular symptoms.
If you think your are experiencing stress incontinence, see your doctor for an evaluation and consideration of the best treatment for your particular symptoms.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
202/863-2518
www.acog.org
National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Disease National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse
800/891-5390
www.niddk.nih.gov
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Sharon Parmet, MD, Writer; Cassio Lynm, MA, Illustrator; Richard M. Glass, MD, Editor
JAMA. 2003;290(3):426. doi:10.1001/jama.290.3.426.
JAMA. 2003;290(3):426. doi:10.1001/jama.290.3.426.
Urinary incontinence is any unintentional leakage of urine. It can be caused by several underlying medical conditions, including urinary infections, strokes, pregnancy, obesity, neurological problems, and other health problems sometimes associated with aging. Stress incontinence is a type of urinary incontinence. A person with stress incontinence is unable to hold urine while coughing, sneezing, or laughing or during other movements that put pressure on the bladder, the organ that collects and holds urine. Fortunately, stress incontinence can usually be successfully treated.
URINATION
When you urinate, the muscles of the bladder tighten and squeeze the urine out through the urethra, a tube that leads from the bladder to the outside of your body. At the same time, muscles surrounding the urethra loosen, allowing the urine to pass through. These muscles can also tighten and squeeze the urethra shut to prevent urine from passing. If these muscles become weak or damaged, they may not be able to hold urine during activities such as sneezing or laughing. The resulting urine leakage may be just a small amount, or if the bladder is full, it may be more.
TESTS FOR STRESS INCONTINENCE
POSSIBLE TREATMENTS FOR STRESS INCONTINENCE
If you think your are experiencing stress incontinence, see your doctor for an evaluation and consideration of the best treatment for your particular symptoms.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
202/863-2518
www.acog.org
800/891-5390
www.niddk.nih.gov
Click here to download a copy of this article.
<< Back to article index...
Two Offices conveniently located to serve you.
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PEMBROKE PINES - 17890 NW 2 St., Pembroke Pines, FL 33029. Telephone (954) 442-6090, FAX (954) 442-0070
Email: Info@luislugomd.com
DON'T WASTE TIME HOLDING ON THE TELEPHONE. Do you need to make a reservation? Check on a Referral? Request a Prescription Refill? Request Medical Records? No need to call the office. Get help fast by logging on to our PATIENT PORTAL. Ask us about WEB ENABLE on your next Office Visit. All of your Health Needs are right at your fingertips. You can even access your Health Information SECURLY from your Mobile Phone or Tablet. Download the free Mobile App Today. DOWNLOAD THE FREE HEALOW MOBILE APP BY CLICKING HERE, then find us by using our unique practice code. GGAHBA. To use the Patient Portal, please call the office and ask to be Web Enabled. You will need a valid Email Address to receive instructions on the Patient Portal. New Patients may also join us by clicking on the Patient Portal Link at the top of this page then click the Pre Registration Button. Note. Pre Registration is only for new Patients. Regular patients need to be Web Enabled. Call and ask us how to get access.