4 Urinary Incontinence Treatments

Urinary incontinence can be caused by a number of different factors. Sometimes a weak pelvic floor is to blame. In other cases, a person's brain doesn't receive the appropriate signals when the bladder is full. A doctor can help people who suffer from urinary incontinence by performing a full examination and discussing the patient's medical history. Based on their findings, your doctor may prescribe one or more of these urinary incontinence treatments:

1. Abstinence From Caffeine

Some people find that the beverages they drink can contribute to their urinary incontinence issues. Avoiding liquids before bedtime can prevent bedwetting. However, you may benefit from avoiding coffee in the morning as well. Some people find that drinking caffeine stimulates their bladders. Abstaining from caffeine or at least cutting back on your daily consumption can help you have fewer urinary accidents. Your doctor may recommend diet changes as a first course of treatment against urinary incontinence.

2. Kegel Exercises

Some people experience urinary incontinence after giving birth or having surgery that affects their abdominal area. In these cases, a weak pelvic floor is usually to blame for the incontinence problem. Kegel exercises are a type of non-invasive treatment that people can use to strengthen their pelvic muscles. To perform Kegels, you should contract the muscles you would use to stop urinating mid-flow. Hold the contraction for several seconds before releasing it. Repeat these exercises as many times as your doctor recommends as many times per day as they prescribe. After performing a regimen of Kegel exercises for several weeks, you should see improvement in your incontinence problem.

3. Medication

Some people find medication helpful when it comes to combating urinary incontinence. Your doctor can prescribe drugs to relax your bladder muscles, which will make you less likely to urinate unexpectedly. Your doctor may also prescribe an anticholinergic drug, which can help people who feel the urge to urinate more often than they should. Medication often works best when used in addition to lifestyle modifications.

4. Counseling

Urinary incontinence may have a psychological basis. Some people experience urinary incontinence following certain types of trauma. It's also common for people to experience embarrassment over their urinary problems, which can contribute to a vicious cycle of more urinary incontinence. In this case, counseling can help. If your urinary problems are caused by trauma or unresolved mental health issues, speaking to a counselor can help you regain control of your bladder.

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