Prevention & treatment
There are five major categories of possible treatment:
Behavioural modification (retraining the bladder)
- Urination on a fixed schedule
- Bladder training
- Dietary changes (proper hydration; limiting or eliminating coffee, alcohol and tobacco; healthy eating; intestinal management, including increased consumption of fibre in the form of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.) and physical exercise
Environmental improvement
- Proximity of bathroom to bedroom
- Sufficient and practical lighting
- Unobstructed toilet access
- Support bars installed near toilet
- Easy-to-remove clothing, such as clothing fastened with velcro (especially people with reduced mobility and those who have had strokes)
Physiotherapy (strengthening of the pelvic floor)
- Kegel exercices
- Biofeedback
Pharmacology
- Medication – certain medications can cause or increase urinary incontinence, such as diuretics, sleeping pills, certain antidepressants, tranquilizers and narcotics or codeine
- Reduction of polypharmacy
Surgery
- Burch procedure (lifting the bladder)
- Sub-urethral sling
- Collagen
- Artificial sphincter
Other (adjuvant measures)
- Pessary
- Urethral obturator
- Electrotherapy
Limiting liquid intake is not a solution
Not drinking can contribute to a higher concentration of urine, which can irritate the bladder. In addition, the risk of bladder infection increases when liquid intake is limited. A lack of liquid also increases the risk of constipation. With you doctor, you can determine the appropriate quantity of liquid for your situation.
Consult a healthcare professional
It is important to consult a healthcare professional in order to identify the causes of urinary incontinence; the problem is widespread but under-treated. While it’s not always easy to talk about, it is important to consult someone who can help you or direct you to the appropriate resources: nurse continence advisor, family doctor, urologist, geriatrician, physiotherapist, social worker.
It is possible that you’ll be asked to take an urodynamic test to help reach a more precise diagnosis. Among other things, this test measures the quantity of urine in your bladder, the time you take to void, and the pressure of the urine stream.
Since urinary incontinence is often experienced in silence, it is essential for sufferers to be reassured and informed about the solutions available to them. Living with incontinence should not mean staying home and limiting activities; it should be about finding ways to prevent leakage and living an active, happy life.
