Urinary incontinence is defined as the unwanted loss of urine. Urinary incontinence is very common, affecting millions of Americans. Urinary incontinence is not a necessary part of aging, and can happen in young men as well. Many men are too embarrassed to ask for help, and many men don't realize that successful treatment is usually available.
Types of Incontinence
There are actually many different types of incontinence. Successful treatment starts with the proper diagnosis of the type of incontinence affecting each patient.
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Urgency incontinence means that a man loses urine when he feels a strong urge to go to the bathroom, but cannot get to the bathroom quickly enough. This is also associated with the urge to urinate when drinking even small amounts of liquids, or associated with severe frequency of urination, day or night, and even associated with bed-wetting.
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Stress incontinence is the unwanted loss of urine when he exercises, or has any sudden movements, such as coughing or sneezing or laughing. It can be from any type of exercises, including simply getting out of a chair or walking. Mental stress has nothing to do with stress incontinence.
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Overflow incontinence occurs when a man?s bladder does not empty well and the urine leaks out uncontrollably, often in very small, frequent amounts.
Many men can have more than one types of incontinence which is called "mixed incontinence".
Diagnosis
Several factors need to be evaluated in any man with incontinence for an accurate diagnosis of have of the type of incontinence.
The most basic evaluation includes:
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Complete medical history including symptoms, current medications, recent surgery and/or illnesses and previous treatments for incontinence. Your answers to the Urinary Control Problem Questionnaire will help the urologist in the evaluation.
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Physical exam.
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Urinalysis & Urine Culture: Determines any existing urinary tract infections, blood in your urine and early detection of damage to your kidneys.
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Voiding Questionnaire and Diary: Provides pertinent information regarding behavioral characteristics and voiding patterns.
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Other diagnostic tests that may be done by urologists include x-ray examinations of the urinary tract, telescopic or cystoscopic examinations of the urinary tract, and nerve and muscle function testing of the bladder and sphincter or valve areas that are so important.
Treatment
Once the cause of the urinary incontinence can be discovered, treatment can begin. The three major treatment areas are: medications, surgery and behavioral techniques.
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Medications to treat incontinence depend on the cause of the incontinence. If the man's bladder is contracting inappropriately, medicines can be used to slow down these contractions. Medications are also be used to treat infections that may be stimulating the bladder to contract or causing irritation. Some medications help tighten the muscles of the sphincter area.
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Prostate treatments can be performed to shrink the prostate in men who suffer from benign or non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate (BPH) which can cause difficulty emptying the bladder. Georgia Urology offers many minimally invasive treatment options using the most up-to-date technology for treatment of BPH.
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Surgery may be recommended in some cases to help incontinence. If the prostate gland is blocking the urinary channel, or a stricture or scar exists in the urethra, this may need to be dealt with surgically. In men who have had prostate surgery, artificial sphincters can be placed to aid the patient's own sphincter. The urologist may also use a sling procedure to apply pressure to the urethra.
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Behavioral techniques are also available to strengthen the muscles and get better coordination of urination function. Biofeedback is a way of learning exactly how the bladder muscles and sphincters contract and increase resistance. Also pelvic exercises called Kegels can help strengthen the muscles around the neck of the bladder.
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In some men, a catheter or tube can be placed into the bladder to help manage their incontinence. Condom catheters cover the penis from the outside. Men who have poorly emptying bladders because of an obstruction but can't have surgery can be taught to catheterize themselves with a small tube three to five times a day with excellent results.
Call Georgia Urology today and schedule an appointment to meet with our expert urologists in one of our convenient Atlanta area locations.