SERVICES
Urinary Incontinence
The involuntary release of urine is known as urinary incontinence, a condition that occurs when the urinary sphincter becomes damaged or affected by another illness. The intensity might range from occasionally releasing urine when you cough or sneeze to having a sudden and severe urge to urinate that prevents you from reaching a toilet in time.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
Overflow Incontinence
When you cannot completely empty your bladder, you will have an overflow, which may leak out suddenly. There may be no sensation that the bladder is full.
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence occurs when physical exertion or movement causes your bladder to become overworked, leading you to leak urine.
Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence happens when you suddenly feel the need to urinate. Urge incontinence occurs when the urinary bladder spasms abnormally, allowing urine to seep through the sphincter muscles that keep the bladder tight.
Mixed Incontinence
Mixed incontinence is a combination of urge incontinence and stress incontinence.
Total Incontinence
You have total incontinence when your bladder can no longer store any urine. With this type of incontinence, you either pass large amounts of urine regularly, or you pass urine infrequently with leaking in between.
Causes
Urinary incontinence is often caused by underlying conditions such as constipation, frequent UTIs and pelvic floor disorders, which can all cause physical trauma or strain on the bladder.
Other causes may include:
- Diabetes
- Menopause
- Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
- Pregnancy
- Stroke
Treatments
Dr Thomas will review your symptoms and medical history to determine the best treatment plan for you. Depending on the severity and underlying cause of your incontinence, she may suggest lifestyle changes, physical therapy or medications. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary.