Urinary Incontinence 101

Written by Sarah

Incontinence refers to the inability to control your bladder or bowels. Incontinence can be acute or chronic. Acute refers to temporary incontinence due to several factors. Chronic incontinence on the other hand, occurs over a long-term and does not go away.  Follow along to learn more about urinary incontinence. In this blog, we will cover what the types of urinary incontinence are, what causes them, and how to manage them.

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary Incontinence is the inability to hold your bladder which causes urine leaks. There are four major types of urinary incontinence: 

1. Urge Continence is when you have an intense urge to urinate right away and you may not be able to make it to the washroom in time. Urge incontinence is usually caused by an overactive bladder.
2. Stress incontinence is when your bladder leaks urine during physical activities such as laughing, sneezing, jumping, or lifting heavy objects. Stress incontinence is usually caused by weak pelvic floor muscles.
3. Overflow incontinence is when your bladder does not completely empty when you urinate, so it leaks out in between trips to the washroom. Overflow incontinence can be caused by chronic conditions such as an enlarged prostate or diabetes.
4. Mixed incontinence is a combination of the above three types of incontinence. 
   By understanding the type of urinary incontinence that affects you and what triggers it, you can learn how to manage the condition more effectively.

Causes of Urinary Incontinence

The causes for urinary Incontinence can be temporary and end when the cause goes away or they can be ongoing as the condition that is causing the incontinence is long-term or chronic.

Temporary Causes

• • Urinary Tract Infections UTI’s
  • Pregnancy: the growing fetus pushes on bladder leading to lessened bladder capacity
  • Medications like water pills and antidepressants
  • Coffee, tea, and alcohol
  • Constipation

Chronic Causes

• • Overactive bladder
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes
  • Menopause
  • Pregnancy: leads to weakened pelvic floor muscles
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Enlarged prostate or prostate surgery

Managing Urinary Incontinence

You do not have to manage urinary incontinence alone. There are many solutions to managing urinary incontinence from lifestyle changes to medication and surgical intervention. Speak to your doctor to create a solution tailored to you. See some of the possible options below:

1. Lifestyle Changes

   • Use the washroom on a regular schedule rather than waiting for the urge to go.
   • Do Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor.
   • Wear urinary pads or underwear to catch any leaked urine.
   • Lower your intake of caffeinated beverages and avoid drinking large amounts of fluids before exercise or sleep.

2. Medications

   • Medication can target different functions of the body as some medications stabilize muscle contractions, others relax your muscles so your bladder can empty fully, and some others act as hormone replacements to restore bladder function.
   • Medication can target different functions of the body as some medications stabilize muscle contractions, others relax your muscles so your bladder can empty fully, and some others act as hormone replacements to restore bladder function.

3. Procedural and Surgical Intervention

   • Depending on the severity and impact of your incontinence, your medical provider may suggest a procedure or surgery to treat your incontinence. This includes:
     • Water-based bulking agents that can be injected into your urethra to increase the size of the lining. 
     • Repeated Botox® injections to help relax the bladder muscle. 
     • Neuromodulation devices that stimulate the nerves in your bladder for increased control over your bladder. 
     • Sling procedures where a synthetic mesh is inserted into the pelvic area to support your urethra. 
     • Implantation of an artificial urinary sphincter that can be deflated to allow urine to pass when the bladder is full. This procedure is generally used to treat stress incontinence after a prostatectomy. 

4. Catherization

   • Used as a last resort for urinary incontinence as repeated catheterization can cause trauma to the urethra. There are three types of catheters:
     1. Indwelling or Foley catheters are inserted into the urethra or a hole in the abdomen to drain urine from the bladder and can stay in the body for long periods of time.
     2. Intermittent catheters are temporarily inserted into the urethra to train the bladder and are removed when the bladder is empty.
     3. Condom catheters cover the exterior of the penis like a condom to collect urine into a drainage collection bag. 

Conclusion

While urinary incontinence can feel like a never-ending struggle, you do not have to fight the battle alone. When in doubt always consult with your medical provider to come up with the best solution for you.

More about Sarah 

Hello, my name is Sarah. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania but now live in Vancouver, BC. I attended the University of British Columbia for Biology and graduated in 2019. In fall of 2021, I was diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis and very soon after underwent a total colectomy. I lived with an Ileostomy for two years before undergoing the procedures for a J-Pouch. I now spend my time with a fulfilling career helping Ostomates with their post-surgical care at Nightingale Medical Supplies. In my free time, I enjoy reading, volunteering with Girl Guides, and crafting.

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