by Louise Schutte

Created on: August 11, 2009

Over, 13 million Americans (and 1.5 million Canadians) have some form of urinary incontinence (UI). Though UI can have a negative impact on the quality of life of the individual affected with the problem, there is a variety of methods available to effectively treat this condition in most people.

Urinary incontinence, which affects women more often than men, occurs when the bladder system fails, resulting in inadvertent bladder leakage. This loss of bladder control can result in embarrassment for the person living with the condition. It can disrupt work, leisure, sleep, and sexual activity. It can even hinder travel plans and social activities leading to frustration and feelings of discouragement.

Stress incontinence occurs when there is a small loss of urine due to stress on the stomach muscles. This stress includes everyday acts such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects. Stress incontinence is the result of weakened pelvis muscles or sphincter weakness or a combination of both. In women, the problem may start after childbirth when loss of support occurs due to relaxation of the pelvic muscles.

Urge incontinence is the leakage of a significant amount of urine resulting from the inability to get to the bathroom in time after receiving the urge to urinate. In addition to a strong desire to urinate, urge incontinence can include getting up at night, and frequent urination. Urge incontinence, common in the elderly, may be the result of kidney or bladder infections.

UI is not a disease, rather a symptom warning that the bladder is not functioning properly. Risk factors associated with UI include smoking, taking diuretics, constipation, caffeine, certain medical conditions, physical conditions affecting mobility and dexterity, obesity, and high impact physical activities. Other risk factors include pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, hysterectomy, bladder infections, and age.

Approximately 20% of incontinent women require treatment. A first step is overcoming the stigma and discussing the condition with one's doctor. Once the underlying causes are determined, incontinence can almost always be cured, treated, or managed.

Many conservative methods have been shown to be beneficial in treating incontinence. These treatments include strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, bladder retraining, and dietary changes. Kegal exercises help strengthen the pelvic muscles in order to improve bladder support. An American gynecologist, Dr. Arnold Kegal

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