Stress incontinence is not a disease but it is a symptom of other problems. It is important that an appointment be made to visit the doctor once you notice the first symptoms of this condition. Your doctor will give you a thorough examination before prescribing treatment. There are several causes of incontinence such as vaginitis, urethritis and urinary tract infection but all these can be treated effectively with medication. There are other factors you might want to consider once you are being treated for this condition such as possible side effects from the medication you are taking. The doctor will now be able to focus on the organs directly affected.
Stress incontinence affects the muscles which support the bladder and the sphincters which control the flow of urine. These organs are often damaged or weakened by this problem. Once these muscles are stretched or torn, or if they lose their tone you are unable to control your bladder and the urge to urinate. Additionally, it can reach the point where picking up a heavy object, a laugh, or a sneeze can put considerably stress on your bladder and cause a spontaneous flow of urine.
An exercise regime is usually the treatment used for stress incontinence and Kegel exercises were developed to strengthen the group of muscles affected by this condition. When the exercises are performed consistently for the period of four to five months they can impact your health immensely and can also present a cure or lessen the symptoms.
There are other common treatments for stress incontinence. These include staying away from natural diuretics and spicy foods, losing weight and controlling your fluid intake. Obesity puts more pressure on your bladder which can cause a worsening of the condition. Visiting your doctor will be the best thing to do as the doctor will decide which treatment is best for you.
Another therapy which has been in use for several years is bulking. In bulking, some form of material is injected into the sphincter muscles to 'bulk' them up and make them less prone to abdominal pressure. The materials which are injected can be any of the following: synthetic materials, collagen, or cells taken from the patient's own body.
This particular procedure usually takes only thirty minutes and can be done on an outpatient basis. The medical professional uses a local anesthetic to inject the material directly into the muscles involved. This treatment is very effective since about twenty- five percent of the people who undertake this procedure is cured, but for others their symptoms can decrease to a half. There is a drawback to this approach, in that the materials which are injected may lose their effectiveness, requiring a repeat injection every two or three years. Although this is considered to be a successful treatment for this problem,it does not really decrease the urge to urinate spontaneously.
If you are suffering from stress incontinence it is best to take the necessary steps to either control or cure it.
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