Incontinence and Bladder Control

Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. Many Americans suffer from it, yet exactly how many is unclear since many don’t talk to their doctors about symptoms. They often feel embarrassed or think that it’s just part of getting older.

A symptom of many conditions, urinary incontinence is neither a disease nor just a medical problem. Urinary incontinence can affect emotional, psychological and social life. In fact, it can prevent a person from doing many normal daily activities – they’re simply afraid of being too far away from a restroom.

Four Types of Urinary Incontinence

Mixed Incontinence (SUI and OAB)

With mixed incontinence, you have both SUI and OAB. You leak urine with activity (SUI) and often feel the urge to urinate (OAB).

Overactive Bladder (OAB)

OAB is a sudden, intense urge to urinate that you can't control.

Overactive bladder (OAB), a condition that affects millions of Americans, causes a sudden urge to urinate, whether the bladder is full or not. The frequent visits to the restroom – both day and night – can be embarrassing and disrupt your everyday activities.

What are Symptoms of OAB?

The most common symptom of OAB is the sudden uncontrollable urge to urinate. The urge may be difficult to stop and may lead to the involuntary loss of urine (urge incontinence). Other possible symptoms include urinating eight or more times within 24 hours, as well as waking from sleep to urinate two or more times.

How is OAB Diagnosed?

Discuss your symptoms with a trained urologist. We’ll perform a physical exam, take some tests and ask you a number of questions to better understand your current situation and medical history. This will include information about:

How long you’ve had OAB symptoms
How the symptoms are disrupting your life
Your past and current health problems
Any over-the-counter and/or prescription drugs
Your diet, such as daily liquids intake

In women, the physical exam likely includes your abdomen, the organs in your pelvis and your rectum. In men, it includes your abdomen, prostate and rectum.

Other tests include:

Urine culture: Urine test to check for infection or blood
Bladder scan: Ultrasound to see how much urine is left in the bladder after emptying
Cystoscopy: A narrow tube with tiny lens that’s inserted into the bladder to rule out other causes of symptoms
Urodynamic testing: Checks how well your lower urinary tract stores and releases urine

We may also request that you keep a bladder diary, noting how often you use the bathroom, as well as leak urine. It will help us learn more about your day-to-day symptoms.

Overflow Incontinence

Overflow Incontinence describes a frequent or constant dribbling of urine due to a bladder that doesn't empty completely. It’s more common in men with prostate issues.

If urinary incontinence is frequent or affecting your quality of life, discuss it with your Summa Health Medical Group urologist, no matter how uncomfortable you may feel.

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)

One of the most common types of urinary incontinence, SUI occurs when weak pelvic muscles let urine escape when pressure is exerted onto the bladder. It may be caused by exercise, walking, bending, lifting, or even sneezing and coughing. The amount of urine varies from a few drops to a tablespoon or more. SUI is more common in older women and less common in men.

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Summa Health's Urology team are compassionate, fellowship-trained specialists who treat a wide range of urologic and pelvic issues.

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Resources

Battling Bladder Control: Male and Female Incontinence

Incontinence affects at least 25 million Americans each year. And while 75 percent are female, the issue can affect any person, at any age.

Learn more about incontinence

Incontinence and Bladder Control

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