Bladder leakage is a common problem for people of all ages. It can interfere with your daily life -- from exercise to travel.
A variety of treatments are available to help ease bladder leakage and increase your quality of life. Your doctor will work with you to determine the best approach for your situation.
Bladder Exercises
Bladder exercises are a good way to strengthen your pelvic floor and control urinary leakage. They also can reduce the risk of associated complications, such as emotional distress and sleep deprivation.
Kegel (pronounced “ke-gl”) exercises are simple to do and can be performed anywhere you are comfortable. Start by squeezing your pelvic floor muscles as if you were lifting a marble. Hold each squeeze for three seconds. Gradually increase the number of squeezes you do.
Another exercise to strengthen your pelvic floor is the bridge. To do this, sit on a mat or carpeted surface. Bend your knees and lower your body until you feel a tightening in your hips, glutes, or pelvic floor. Tighten these muscles for 5 to 10 seconds and then relax.
Kegel exercises can help you regain bladder control and prevent urinary leakage. They can also help lengthen the time between bathroom trips and increase the amount of urine your bladder can hold. They are usually used to treat stress incontinence or urge incontinence.
Incontinence Underwear
Incontinence underwear is the most popular solution in the way people in which men and women deal with urinary leakage. Incontinence underwear is cost effective, non-intrusive and eco-friendly. Just one pair of underwear will save you hundreds of dollars in adult diapers. If you choose a brand like Stealthies Incontinence underwear, then people won't even know you're wearing special underwear. They look and feel like regular underwear.
Drainage Bags
Drainage bags are used to collect urine from the bladder, and are available in several types. They include leg bags, large drainage bags and reusable urinary bags.
Leg bags can be strapped to a lower leg or thigh and are usually used during the day. They hold 500 to 800 milliliters of urine.
Night drainage bags are larger and designed for use in bed and can be placed on a stand or bedrail below bladder height. These bags can be emptied during the night to allow for unbroken sleep.
In addition to a large capacity, some bedside drainage bags have anti-reflux towers that minimize the risk of refluxing into the catheter tube. This type of feature is highly valued among patients and healthcare providers.
In addition to providing convenience and comfort, drainage bags help improve hygiene and prevent infection. They are also more efficient and cost-effective than other methods of urination management. The market for urinary drainage bags is expected to grow due to rising incidences of urological diseases, such as BPH and UTI.
Over-the-Counter Medication
For some people, over-the-counter medications can help ease urinary urgency symptoms. These medications are usually anticholinergics or beta adrenergics.
Medications work by blocking certain nerve endings (receptors) in the bladder. The side effects from these drugs include dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation or memory impairment.
If you prefer a more natural approach there are some great herbal supplements that treat urinary incontinence.
If these OAB medications don't help, your doctor may recommend a different type of medicine, such as a newer class called mirabegron (brand name: Myrbetriq). This medication stimulates a different type of bladder receptor that tends to relax the bladder.
Prescriptions for over-the-counter medication are typically a last resort and often recommended after behavioral therapy has failed to improve symptoms. Some patients want to completely rid themselves of their bladder leakage symptoms, while others desire a small improvement that will allow them to cope with the problem.
Surgery
If you have stress incontinence caused by certain activities, such as coughing, sneezing, or lifting, your doctor can use surgery to help. Your doctor creates a “sling” using mesh or tissue from your body, called fascia, and puts it under the urethra to support your bladder and prevent urine leaks.
Sling surgery is performed in the hospital under spinal or general anesthesia, and you typically go home the day of the procedure. You should rest and avoid sexual intercourse for several weeks after surgery to allow the urethra to heal properly.
Prior to surgery, patients undergo a medical examination and are rated using the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification system. Those who are deemed fit for surgery sign a consent form and receive a surgical clearance.
