Urinary Incontinence in McKinney & Serving Melissa, TX
If you suffer from urinary incontinence, you already know how uncomfortable and embarrassing it can be. The sudden urge or inability to control urination can dramatically impact your life. Dr. Alexander Martin, MD offers effective and comprehensive solutions, tailored for your needs.
Causes of Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is caused by an inability of the sphincter muscles to close the urethra. Urinary incontinence can also be caused by nerve problems that affect the bladder muscles and urethra.
Signs and Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence
When you develop urinary incontinence, you may notice a strong urge to urinate, and loss of small amounts of urine when you exercise, sneeze, or laugh.
Who is at Risk of Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence typically affects women more than men, because of pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. The pelvic muscles become weaker, which decreases support for both the bladder and urethra.
What You Can Do to Help Minimize Urinary Incontinence
There are several steps you can take to help minimize episodes of incontinence. You should:
- Do Kegel exercises regularly to strengthen pelvic floor muscles
- Urinate at set times to train your bladder
- Increase the time between urination by 15-minute intervals to help hold urine
- Lose weight to decrease pressure on your bladder and bladder muscles
- Avoid caffeine, carbonated drinks, and alcohol to help minimize symptoms
- Quit smoking to improve your overall health and decrease symptoms
- Get help if you are constipated, which can make incontinence worse
- Wear pads or protective underwear to help control leakage
Our urologist, Dr. Martin, can perform diagnostic testing to identify the cause of your urinary incontinence. If urinary incontinence is caused by an infection, our doctor will treat the infection with antibiotics. Lifestyle modification may also be part of the treatment plan to decrease symptoms.