New Year to Understand Incontinence

The new year provides new opportunities. We all want to understand the things we experience in life. If incontinence is one of those things, whether it be yourself or someone you know, we’re here to help.

You probably have a lot of questions at first, and we’d always recommend your doctor as the first step. You’ll learn all about the specifics of your condition, and the best courses of action that will help you carry on living life to the fullest.

Types of Incontinence

The most prominent types of incontinence are:

Stress Incontinence – Leaking urine when you cough, sneeze, laugh, or exercise.

Urge Incontinence – Leaking urine after feeling a strong and sudden urge to go. Also referred to as Overactive Bladder (OAB).

Overflow Incontinence – When you are unable to empty your bladder entirely, causing leaks when your bladder is full.

Functional Incontinence – When external medical conditions prevent you from reaching the bathroom in time.

Mixed Incontinence – When you experience stress and urge incontinence simultaneously.

There are many factors that can play a role in development incontinence, from urinary tract infections, pregnancy, and prostate problems to more external roots like smoking, weight, and certain medications. Determining the source of your incontinence is crucial to finding the right solutions. Your doctor can help you devise a treatment plan to aid your incontinence symptoms. This can include medication, exercises, bladder training, and possibly surgery should you need it.

We understand incontinence can feel like an awkward subject at first, but discussing your condition with your doctor, and indeed connecting with other who share your condition is a fantastic first step. Blogs and online forums can be a great place to start and become comfortable discussing your experiences with others.