Incontinence, which refers to a loss of bladder or bowel control, is not a disease in itself. Rather, it is a symptom of a medical condition or disorder that could include spinal cord injury, pregnancy, neurological disease, infection and the degenerative changes associated with aging.
Incontinence affects 25 million Americans and can strike people of all ages-from children to the elderly to fit adults. Women are more at risk--21 million suffer from incontinence, compared with 4 million men. In some situations, the cause may be pregnancy or the decreased production of estrogen after menopause. But experts say the condition can be treated successfully--a variety of medications, behavioral modifications and surgical options are now available.
To learn more, Health spoke to Dr. Jenelle Foote, a urologist who serves on the board of the National Assn. for Continence. Foote practices at Midtown Urology in Atlanta and is a clinical assistant professor of urology at Emory University School of Medicine and Morehouse School of Medicine, both in Atlanta.
Question: Let's discuss the different types of incontinence and what options exist for sufferers.
Answer: There are four basic types. And it's very important that patients, their families and doctors understand what type of incontinence a person has, because the treatments are very different. The first is called urge incontinence, that's probably the most common. In those circumstances, a person feels the urge to urinate and can't keep it from happening.
There are three categories of treatment for urge incontinence: behavioral modification, medical and surgical treatment. One type of behavioral modification is called "timed voiding." In "timed voiding," one goes to the toilet, say, every two hours. The idea is to get to the toilet and empty one's bladder before one has an "accident." Many foods and drinks are associated with urinary urgency. These include caffeinated and carbonated drinks, citrus drinks, alcohol and chocolate. Kegel exercises can also help prevent urge incontinence. Kegel exercises are voluntary contractions of the pelvic floor muscles that one tightens when one stops one's urinary stream or tries not to pass gas. These are also the muscles a woman uses to tighten her vagina. Additionally, these are the muscles that both men and women contract during an orgasm.
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Q: Could you describe the medical management for urge incontinence?
