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    Urinary Incontinence
    Urinary Incontinence affects twice as many women as men and 50 per cent of elderly women suffer from it. It may affect younger women too.  Urinary incontinence can be caused by daily habits, underlying medical or physical problems. It may be temporary or persistent.   
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 28 September 2015

Treatment of urinary incontinence depends on the type, its severity and the underlying cause. A combination of treatments may be needed to treat urinary incontinence.  The doctor may suggest some of the following: 

Medications

Anticholinergics: Oxybutynin (Ditropan XL), Tolteridone (Detrol), Darifenacin (Enablex), Fesoterodine (Toviaz), Solifenacin (Vesicare), Trospium (Sanctura). These medications can calm an over-active bladder and may be helpful for urge incontinence.

Mirabegron (Myrbetriq): It relaxes the bladder muscle and increases the amount you are able to urinate at one time, which helps to empty your bladder more completely. Used to treat urge incontinence.

Alpha blockers: Tamsulocsin (Flomax), Alfuzosin (Uroxatral), Silodosin (Rapaflo), Terazosin (Hytrin) and Doxazosin (Cardura). 

These medications relax bladder neck muscles in the prostate and make it easier to empty the bladder.

Topical Estrogen: Applying low dose topical oestrogen in the form of vaginal cream may help to improve tone and rejuvenate tissue in the urethra and vaginal areas and reduce some of the symptoms of incontinence.

Surgery

Sling procedures: A pelvic sling is placed around your urethra and the area of thickened muscle where the bladder connects to the urethra. The sling is prepared from your body tissue or synthetic material is used. This sling helps to keep the urethra closed especially when you sneeze or cough etc.

Bladder neck suspension: This involves an abdominal incision under general anaesthesia or spinal anaesthesia. It provides support to your urethra and bladder neck.

Artificial urinary sphincter: This is particularly helpful for men whose incontinence is associated with treatment of prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate gland.

Stories

  • Management of Urinary Incontinence
    Fluid and diet management You have to avoid alcohol, caffeine, acidic foods to regain control of your bladder. Reducing liquid consumption, losing weight, increasing physical activity can reduce the problem. Speak to your doctor about a diet and fluid plan. Physical fitness Doing regular exercises can help to strengthen the muscles that control urination. Tighten the muscles you use to stop urinating and hold for 2 – 5 seconds and then relax for 2 – 5 seconds. Do this exercise at least ten…
  • Prevention of Urinary Incontinence
    You cannot prevent all cases of urinary incontinence, but there are some steps to reduce your risk of episodes. Try to live a healthy lifestyle by maintaining a healthy weight, avoid smoking, do regular exercise, and eat well. Have enough fibre in your diet, in order to prevent constipation.
  • Botox shots could fix leaky bladder!
    Botox injections can be a great alternative for people with leaky or overactive bladders. Overactive bladder (OAB), is a condition where the nerves send wrong signals to the bladder at the wrong time, leading to a sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate (urinary incontinence). "Anticholinergics is the main treatment option but their side effects, for example, dry mouth, constipation, and blurring of vision, are some of the reasons why patients stop treatment", said Dr. Colin Teo, head and senior…
  • Urinary Incontinence
    What is urinary incontinence? It is the loss of bladder control that results in leakage of urine or faecal matter involuntarily. It is a common problem: the severity ranges from occasional leaking of urine when you cough or sneeze to a sudden and strong urge to urinate so that you can’t get to the toilet on time. It affects twice as many women as men and 50 per cent of elderly women suffer from it. It may affect younger women too.