How is urge incontinence treated?
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Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Behavioral therapies (to help people regain control of their bladder), including:
Bladder training - teaches people to resist the urge to void and gradually expand the intervals between voiding.
Toileting assistance - uses routine or scheduled toileting, habit training schedules, and prompted voiding to empty the bladder regularly to prevent leaking.
Pelvic muscle rehabilitation - Regular, daily exercising of pelvic muscles (Kegel exercises) can improve, and even prevent, urinary incontinence. This is particularly helpful for younger women to improve pelvic muscle tone and prevent leakage.
Biofeedback - Used in conjunction with Kegel exercises, biofeedback helps people gain awareness and control of their pelvic muscles.
Vaginal weight training - Small weights are held within the vagina by tightening the vaginal muscles.
Pelvic floor electrical stimulation - Mild electrical pulses stimulate muscle contractions which should be performed in conjunction with Kegel exercises for optimum results.
Medication - Specific drugs for incontinence as well as estrogen therapy can be effective. A class of medicines called anticholinergics help to decrease the number of voiding and incontinence episodes as well as the volume of any leakage.
Sacral nerve stimulation- low level electrical stimulation directly to the pelvic nerves using a pacemaker-l;ike device can help restore bladder control for urge incontinence.
Surgery - effective if the incontinence is related to structural problems such as an abnormally positioned bladder or a blockage. Augmentation cystoplasty is one such operation associated with satisfactory results.
Diet modifications - eliminating caffeinated beverages as well as alcohol may reduce the symptoms of urinary incontinence.Behavioral therapies (to help people regain control of their bladder), including: Bladder training - teaches people to resist the urge to void and gradually expand the intervals between... More -
Dr. Kevin Windom answered:Urgency incontinence is when a person has the overwhelming sensation to urinate and is unable to make it to the restroom. Urgency incontinence is caused by bladder spasms. When one's bladder is full, they have the overwhelming urgency to urinate, and when the bladder starts to spasm, the urethra relaxes and urine leaks out. Most women with urgency incontinence do not leak just small amounts of urine, they leak large amounts of urine. Urgency incontinence is commonly treated with frequent voiding as well as dietary changes. Some people with urgency incontinence have an increase in bladder spasms when they drink caffeine, carbonated drinks, or any type of citrus drinks. Urgency incontinence can also be treated with medications that help relax the bladder, but these medications are known to have side effects such as constipation and severe dry mouth. Lastly, people with severe urgency incontinence can be treated with a procedure called InterStim, which is a surgical procedure where electrodes are placed through the sacrum to help desensitize the nerves going to the bladder and helping to relax the bladder and decrease bladder spasms.Urgency incontinence is when a person has the overwhelming sensation to urinate and is unable to make it to the restroom. Urgency incontinence is caused by bladder spasms. When one's bladder is full, they have the overwhelming urgency to... More -
Dr. Jill Rabin answered:The main goal of any treatment program is to allow the patient to develop control of bladder contractions. Treatments include:
• Behavior modification: retraining the bladder
• Physical therapy: mastering Kegel exercises, using vaginal weights, and
using portable biofeedback muscle monitors• Medications: selecting a medication that works with minimal
uncomfortable side effects• Internal devices such as pessaries or the Interstim
Surgery is generally not performed to relieve the symptoms of urge incontinence.
Do not let embarrassment, fear, or wrong information about incontinence prevent you from speaking to your doctor. The great majority of women suffering from urinary incontinence can be helped or completely cured. Call your physician and ask about a referral to a urogynecologist.
The main goal of any treatment program is to allow the patient to develop control of bladder contractions. Treatments include: • Behavior modification: retraining the bladder • Physical therapy: mastering Kegel exercises, using vaginal... More -
Greenville Health System answered:For those who suffer from incontinence when they have the urge to urinate, InterStim Therapy, among other treatment options, is recommended. Described as a pacemaker for the bladder, InterStim Therapy works by sacral neuromodulation. Developed by Medtronic Inc. and FDA-approved since 1997, InterStim Therapy has been in the mainstream for several years.
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For those who suffer from incontinence when they have the urge to urinate, InterStim Therapy, among other treatment options, is recommended. Described as a pacemaker for the bladder, InterStim Therapy works by sacral neuromodulation. Developed by... More
