Doctor's Notes on Incontinence FAQs
Incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of urine. This loss of urine is commonly due to weak muscles that control the exit of the bladder, or by the inability to hold urine when the urge to urinate occurs. Several types of incontinence exist, and the most common types include stress incontinence, which is associated with coughing, sneezing, or exercising, and urge incontinence, when the bladder feels as if it needs to be relieved immediately, regardless of how much urine is in the bladder.
Symptoms of incontinence include uncontrollable leakage of urine, feeling the need to urinate immediately (urgency), difficulty starting the urine stream (hesitancy), urinating more than usual (frequency), pain or burning with urination (often associated with infection), blood in the urine, having to get up at night to urinate (nocturia), dripping or dribbling urine after urination is completed, and bearing down to start the urine stream (straining).
Urinary Tract Infection Quiz
QuestionHow much urine does the average adult pass each day?
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Bedwetting (Bed Wetting) Causes, Signs, Treatment, and Cure
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Bladder Control Problems
Bladder control problems, or urinary incontinence, affect over 13 million people in the U.S. Causes include urinary tract infection, overactive bladder, blocked urethra, medication side effect, and muscle weakness. Symptoms and signs include hematuria, straining, dribbling, frequency, and urgency. Treatment may incorporate behavioral therapy, medication, and surgery. -
BPH (Prostate, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)
Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH) As the prostate gland grows, it may press on the urethra and cause difficulty with urination. Symptoms and signs of an enlarged prostate include blood in the urine, the inability to urinate, frequent urination, and a slow flow or dribbling urine.Medications and surgery are available if an enlarged prostate is causing problems. A man's prostate gland usually starts to enlarge after he reaches age 40 years or middle age. -
Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy is a diagnostic procedure in which a tiny camera tool (cystoscope) is inserted into the patient's urethra to inspect Cystoscopy is the use of a scope (cystoscope) to examine the bladder and ureters for abnormalities or to assist with surgery. Cystoscopy causes pain and light bleeding for about 24 hours after the procedure. Cystoscopy causes pain and other common symptoms like fever and light bleeding. Home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can help relieve pain after the procedure. the bladder for cancer or other abnormalities. -
Hysterectomy
Hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus. Types of hysterectomies include: total abdominal hysterectomy, supracervical or subtotal hysterectomy, radical hysterectomy, vaginal hysterectomy, laparoscopic hysterectomy (LH) laparoscopy-assisted vaginal hysterectomy (LAVH), and oophorectomy. -
Managing MS
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Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis (MS) can be thought of as an inflammatory process involving different areas of the central nervous system (CNS) at various points in time. Early symptoms of multiple sclerosis include visual changes, difficulty maintaining balance, vertigo, painful muscle spasms, constipation, and urinary retention. There is no cure for multiple sclerosis, but there is a treatment for MS and its symptoms that include medications and therapy. -
Prolapsed Bladder
Bladder prolapse is the name of a condition in which a woman's bladder descends into the vagina, usually resulting from the stress of childbirth or other bodily harm to the pelvis. Urinary difficulties, discomfort, and stress incontinence (urine leakage caused by sneezing, coughing, exertion, etc.) can result from a prolapsed bladder. -
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer often has no symptoms. Screening includes a digital rectal examination, PSA, and urinalysis. Treatment depends upon age, the patient's medical condition, and whether the tumor has metastasized. Risk factors for prostate cancer include advanced age, race, family history, infection with STDs, high-fat diet, and chemical exposure. -
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is when there's an involuntary loss of urine. There are many types of incontinence, including urge incontinence (overactive bladder), mixed incontinence, reflex incontinence, and stress incontinence. Potential causes of incontinence include overactive bladder muscles, weak bladder muscles, blockage of urine flow, and nerve damage. Treatment may involve dietary changes and exercise, including Kegel exercises and using vaginal weights.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.