Treatment for Leaky Bladder Depends On the Type of Incontinence

Leaky bladder is a condition when there is an involuntary loss of urine or when a person is unable to control his or her ability to urinate.

Leaky bladder is also called as urine incontinence. It is one of the most common problems in elderly people. Studies show that around 30% of the people who are living in the community suffer from urine incontinency and around 50% of the people living in senior living homes suffer from this condition. When compared to men, women are affected more by this condition. Though it is part of aging and it is quite natural with people above fifty years of age, there are some cases where it is due to some health problems. Many people feel embarrassed to discuss it with a physician. If you take medical help, there is every chance to get relief from leaky bladder and sure your quality of life will be much better.

Types of urinary incontinence

There are four major types of urinary incontinence. They are

• Stress incontinence
• Functional incontinence
• Overflow incontinence
• Urge incontinence

Leaky bladder treatment is available for all four types of incontinences. When you first start to feel the urge for passing urine more frequently or the inability to control your bladder, you need to take an appointment with the physician. The reason for leaky bladder may be as simple as stress or any other health condition that leads to this situation. In women, the main reason for leaky bladder is pregnancy, menopause, and aging. Common reasons for leaky bladder in men and women includes obesity, high impact sports, continuous medication, diabetes, nerve damage, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and bladder muscle contraction.

Treatment for leaky bladder

Urinary incontinence can be treated successfully if the root cause for the problem is medication or medical conditions. Leaky bladder treatment greatly depends on the signs and symptoms of incontinence. If it is due to diabetes or atrophic vaginitis, then by treating the medical condition, the urinary incontinence can be treated. In some cases if the reason for leaky bladder is Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, then there is no treatment available except for using urinary bags or bedpans.

• Pelvic floor exercises or Kegel: This type of exercises will help you when you are suffering from urge or stress incontinence. Your bladder muscles gets strengthened and tightened because of pelvic floor exercises. The exercises should be done consistently to contract the muscles and support the bladder.
• Behavior training: Again this type of treatment holds good for stress and urge incontinence. 75% of people get relief through behavior training. You learn how to control your toilet habits and output of urine for a period of time say, few weeks to months. This will help you how to hold urine for longer time and to resist the urge to go and how to void it at regular intervals.

• Medications: There are medications available when exercises and behavior training do not work. The medication helps to increase the capacity of the bladder and to help in preventing bladder contraction. Please avoid over the counter medication as it may complicate the situation. It is always recommended to take doctor’s advice when you have symptoms of urine incontinence.