Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality | Fall 2021

citizensmemorial.com 13 Urinary incontinence is one of those health problems that happens mostly to women. And it can be really embarrassing. The simple definition of urinary incontinence is the leaking of urine. It might happen when you cough or lift something heavy. Or it might happen when you get the urge to urinate but can’t make it to the bathroom in time. It can be difficult to admit it’s a problem—or to talk about. But it’s important to let your primary care provider know if it’s happening to you. Urinary incontinence can be treated. First, though, you have to ask for help. DIFFERENT TYPES OF INCONTINENCE According to the American Urological Association, women can experience four types of urinary incontinence: Stress urinary incontinence. This can happen when physical pressure is put on your bladder, such as when you sneeze or exercise. Urgency urinary incontinence. Also called overactive bladder, this can happen when you feel a strong need to urinate and you leak urine on the way to the bathroom. Mixed incontinence. This is when you have both types of incontinence. Overflow incontinence. This can happen when your body makes more urine than the bladder can hold or the bladder is full and your bladder muscle may not “squeeze” like it should. One symptom is constant dribbling. Why do women have urinary incontinence more often than men? It may be because one of the causes of incontinence is urinary tract infections, which occur more frequently in women. Or it may be because incontinence can be caused by a weakening of a woman’s pelvic floor muscles. Childbirth and aging are two common reasons. Long-term constipation—also more common in older women—can be a factor too. YOU DON’T HAVE TO LIVEWITH LEAKS This can’t be stressed enough: It’s important to speak to your provider if you are experiencing urinary incontinence. Effective treatments are available. Your provider may talk with you about lifestyle changes that can help. Losing weight (if you’re overweight) is one of them. Avoiding alcohol and limiting caffeine and spicy foods that can irritate your bladder also may help. In addition, your provider might teach you how to do Kegel exercises. WOMEN Get help for the bladder blues Get the help you need. Talk to your primary care provider about it and ask for a referral to the CMH Urology Surgical Clinic in Bolivar. Board certified urologist MarkWalterskirchen, M.D., and nurse practitioner KelsiYates are experts in treating patients with urological issues. Call 417-326-2550 to schedule an appointment. These are exercises that strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. Bladder training also can help. Other potential treatments include: Medications. Several medications are available to treat stress and urgency incontinence, such as myrbetriq and oxybutynin. Surgery. A simple surgical procedure where medication is injected into the bladder neck or bladder muscle may help, including Coaptite® and Botox® injections. Synthetic mesh slings can be inserted to provide support for your urethra (the tube you urinate through). In the right patient, they can be 85% successful. Implants. InterStim™ therapy uses an implantable device, like a pacemaker for your bladder, as an effective treatment for urinary incontinence and overactive bladder. Urinary incontinence is more than annoying. It can lead to rashes, sores, skin infections and urinary tract infections. And fear of it happening can lead to social isolation. Additional source: American Academy of Family Physicians WOMEN’S HEALTH