Urinary incontinence- it’s more common that you might think
Urinary incontinence- it’s more common that you might think
Urinary incontinence (UI) refers to a man's inability to control his urine from leaking. 2 - 11% of men over a certain age struggle with incontinenceevery day, and even more experience regular symptoms. The condition can be embarrassing, but it's important to talk to your doctor to learn more and hear about treatment options.
Who is at Risk?
There are a number of common factors in males with UI:
Types of Urinary Incontinence
prostate cancer
age
obesity
neurological disorders
There are five types of UI:
1. Stress incontinence- this occurs when the patient sneezes, laughs, or preforms another task that applies pressure to his bladder.
2. Urgency incontinence- this occurs when a man experiences a strong desire to urinate seemingly out of nowhere.
3. Functional incontinence- this occurs when someone has a physical disability that physically makes it difficult to reach the bathroom in time.
4. Overflow incontinence- this occurs when the body does not fully relieve itself of urine and the left over urine is released unknowingly afterward.
5. Transient incontinence- this occurs as a symptom of another condition or the side effect of a medication and the problem fixes itself with time.
Treating Male Incontinence
You don't have to live with incontinence! There are several steps that you can take to reduce or even eliminate the symptoms. Here are some ways that you can take action.
1. Eliminate certain drinks
Caffeinated drinks can irritate the urinary tract, so it's helpful to limit coffee and tea. Alcohol often increases the need to urinate, so men with incontinence should also reduce the amount that they drink. It's also recommended to avoid drinking too many beverages before bed.
2. Medication
Many doctors will prescribe one of these medications to prevent incontinence:
Antimuscarinics
Tricyclic antidepressants
Alpha Blockers
3. Wiesner Incontinence Clamp
The Wiesner Incontinence Clamp is a new tool showing a lot of promise in controlling male incontinence. By applying pressure on the urethra, the clamp helps stop leaking. Surprisingly comfortable, the clamp can be worn in virtually any setting. Visit the website to see how the Wiesner Incontinence Clamp can help you.
4. Surgery
In some severe cases, your doctor may suggest surgery to fix the problem. The two common surgeries are the male sling and the artificial urinary sphincter. Ask your doctor if either of these are right for you.
