Incontinence can be a stressful and emotionally damaging problem. Sufferers are unable to control urination and may begin to urinate at inopportune times or leak small amounts of urine. Incontinence tends to occur most frequently in the elderly, although it can occur at any age. There are many treatments available to sufferers, including home care options, non-invasive procedures and surgery.

Prevention and Management

If afflicted with incontinence there are many things you can do at home to manage the condition and prevent further complications. According to the Mayo Clinic, for half of all women experiencing incontinence, the condition is the result of weakened pelvic floor muscles, also known as Kegel muscles. In order to circumvent this, women can perform exercises that strengthen these muscles. Sometimes biofeedback, in which a device hooked up to the pelvic floor muscles alerts you to when you are contracting them. Electrical stimulation, which contracts the muscles, can assist in mastery of the exercises. A change in dietary habits, such as eating more fiber or avoiding foods that may irritate your bladder (such as caffeinated or carbonated beverages, citrus fruits or spicy foods) can sometimes help manage incontinence. Also, avoid drinking liquids before bed and lose weight and keep blood sugar under control if you have diabetes. Your doctor may put you on a urinary schedule. You will often start out trying to urinate about every hour, then you will increase intervals by a half-hour until you are only urinating every three to four hours.

Treatment

Certain medications can help stop incontinence by attacking the cause of the condition. These medications may stop undesirable bladder contractions or tighten or relax bladder and the urethra muscles. However, many of these medications have unwanted side effects. A bulking agent, such as collagen, may be inserted directed into the bladder muscles in order to give them more strength--this, in turn, will help them keep the urethra closed. These agents are injected using a syringe, and the procedure is generally performed on an outpatient basis. Botulinum toxin, better known as botox, can also be injected into the bladder muscles. Botox helps stop the release of chemicals that are responsible for causing incontinence. This treatment is not FDA-approved, however, and may not be covered by insurance.

Reconstruction and Reconstructive Devices

Incontinence can be caused by physical deformities or obstructions of the bladder or urethra. If no other treatment options are successful, you may need surgery to correct these problems. There are several devices that may be inserted to help close or hold up the bladder, such as a pessary, which holds up the bladder, or a bladder neck support device. A urethral insert, urine seal or artificial urinary sphincter may be inserted into the urethra.

Source:

MayoClinic.org: Urinary Incontinence Treatments

AboutIncontinence.org: Treatment of Incontinence

NLM.NIH.gov: Urinary Incontinence