Urinary incontinence is the inability to control the flow of urine resulting in a person urinating when they don\u2019t want to. The basic cause is due to loss of control of the urinary sphincter. This is a fairly common condition, occurring more frequently in women than in men. The American Urological Association estimates that one quarter to one third of people in the United States experience urinary incontinence.
\nTypes of incontinence:
\n\u2022\u00a0Stress Incontinence \u2013 urine leaks when there is pressure put on the bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting heavy objects
\n\u2022\u00a0Urge Incontinence \u2013 the urge to urinate can be very intense and can be caused by a severe infection or a chronic condition like diabetes or a neurological condition
\n\u2022\u00a0Overflow Incontinence \u2013 when the bladder doesn\u2019t empty completely it can lead to dribbling
\n\u2022\u00a0Functional Incontinence \u2013 when there is a physical or mental condition that inhibits you from getting to the bathroom quickly enough. (This can be due to age or a physical disability)
\n\u2022\u00a0Mixed Incontinence \u2013 when there is more than one factor that leads to being unable to control the flow of urine
\nDiagnosing urinary incontinence can be done in different ways and depends on what the underlying cause is thought to be. In men this may include a prostate exam and in women this may involve checking the pelvic floor. A blood test may be performed to assess kidney function. Urinalysis may show if there are signs of infection.\u00a0 It may be necessary to examine the bladder by performing a post void residual test to see if the bladder is emptying properly. A pelvic ultrasound can be used to see if there are obstructions in the ureters and bladder. A cystogram is an x-ray of the bladder. Another exam is a cystoscope whereby a tiny probe is placed into the urethra to see if there are abnormalities.
\nTreatment options for urinary incontinence depend on what is causing the problem. Options include muscle strengthening, delaying urination as a way of gaining control, going to the bathroom to urinate at set times to avoid a buildup of urine in the body. There are also medications that may be helpful in controlling an overactive bladder, and weakened sphincters.
\nIf surgery is necessary, Flushing Hospital offers the latest in robotic surgical treatment options. If you are having symptoms of urinary incontinence and would like to schedule an appointment with a physician at Flushing Hospital to discuss these treatment options, please call 718-670-5486.<\/p>\n
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