Although not life-threatening, incontinence can interfere with your social life and cause a lot of emotional pain and suffering. According to estimates, 13 million Americans live with this condition, and the large majority of sufferers are women.
Urinary incontinence is the inability to control the muscles in your bladder. There are two types of incontinence: stress incontinence, in which leaks are triggered by sneezing or sudden movements, and urge incontinence, in which leaks are triggered by a strong urge to urinate.
Dr. John Macey, our expert, understands why some patients may feel embarrassed to seek out help for incontinence. However, he wants to reassure you that there’s nothing to feel uncomfortable about, as incontinence is a common medical concern.
Read on to learn about the possible causes of incontinence and find out what treatments are available to treat the condition.
Causes and risk factors for urinary incontinence
Here are the most common causes of urinary incontinence:
- Urinary tract infections
- Constipation
- Weak pelvic floor muscles
- Neurological problems
- Nerve damage
- Tumors in the urinary tract
Women who smoke, suffer from diabetes, have delivered several children vaginally, or have taken contraceptives for prolonged periods are at a higher risk of developing urinary incontinence.
Some women may feel the urge to use the restroom after consuming foods and beverages that have a diuretic effect, such as citrus fruits and coffee.
Managing and treating urinary incontinence
There’s evidence indicating that Kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic floor, are beneficial to patients who have poor control over their bladder muscles.
In addition to strengthening your pelvic floor, you should also consume a diet rich in protein, as protein is necessary to repair and build muscle throughout the body.
However, if conservative measures don’t help, Dr. Macey might recommend laser therapy. With the help of a thin tube delivering low levels of laser energy, Dr. Macey rejuvenates your vaginal walls and strengthens the muscles in your pelvic floor by stimulating collagen production.
Each laser treatment takes only a few minutes to complete. It doesn’t cause any major side effects, and you don’t need to take any days off from work either.
To achieve optimal results with laser therapy, you may need between three and five sessions, which are done one month apart.
Get help for your incontinence
Incontinence is a complex condition with multiple causes. However, under the guidance of a specialist, you can manage your symptoms or cure your condition altogether.
Contact us to schedule an appointment. Get expert advice on what’s causing your incontinence, and find out the best way to treat it.