Urinary Incontinence

Overview

In simple terms, Urinary Incontinence is the loss of bladder control. Whether it's a case of mild leaking or uncontrollable wetting, Urinary Incontinence is an embarrassing medical issue and can adversely affect one's daily life. Sneezing, laughing, or lifting a heavy object can cause accidents. Urinary Incontinence can happen to anyone but is more common as you increase in age.

Symptoms

There are numerous types of Urinary Incontinence. Stress Incontinence, which causes loss of urine when the sphincter muscle of the bladder is weakened, is a result of sneezing, laughing, or exercising. Pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause can cause Stress Incontinence in women and removal of the prostate gland can cause it in men. Those who experience an intense urge to urinate followed by an immediate and involuntary loss of urine suffer from Urge Incontinence. If you constantly dribble urine on a frequent basis, Overflow Incontinence is most likely the cause. Mixed Incontinence is a case of one or more symptoms and Total Incontinence is defined as a continuous leaking of urine or sporadic bouts of leaking large amounts of urine.

Causes and Risk Factors

Although some people may believe Urinary Incontinence is a disease, it is only a symptom. When dealing with temporary urinary incontinence, your doctor will check for simple factors including overhydration, alcohol use, caffeine use, and bladder irritation. Medical conditions such as Constipation and Urinary Tract Infection may also cause urinary incontinence and are easily treatable. The more permanent form, known as Persistent Urinary Incontinence, can be caused by an enlarged prostate, prosatitis, prostate cancer, bladder stones, cancer stones, obstruction, painful bladder syndrome, or a hysterectomy.

Diagnosis

Depending on the severity of your Urinary Incontinence, your physician will administer a variety of tests. One simple test is a bladder diary. By keeping track of what and how much your drink, when you urinate, how much you urinate, etc., your physician can track the results. Blood tests and a urinalysis can also help determine the cause. More thorough examinations include a pelvic ultrasound, urodynamic testing, cystoscopy, cystogram, and postvoid residual (PVR) measurement.

Treatment

Due to the various types of symptoms, causes, and your physician will recommended the best possible treatment or combination of treatments. If your Urinary Incontinence can be easily treated through behavioral techniques, timed urination, bladder training, and fluid and diet management. Physical therapy can also help strengthen the appropriate muscles and special medications help tremendously as well. Medical devices, therapies, and surgeries are a more intensive approach and are only used to treat the most severe cases.

Urinary Incontinence. We offer treatments for patients residing in Chicago (Lincoln Park, Lake View, Bucktown, West Town, Logan Square, Hermosa, Belmont Cragin, Belmont Gardens, Avondale, North Center, Irving Park, Portage Park, Albany Park Lincoln Square, Near West Side, East Garfield Park, Humboldt Park, Pilsen, Downtown) and Chicago Suburbs (Oak Park, Cicero, Harwood Heights, Norridge, Elmwood Park, River Grove, River Forest, Berwy, Skokie, Morton Grove, Park Ridge, Franklin Park, Melrose Park, Maywood, Stone Park Schiller Park).