You don't have to live with incontinence

Urinary incontinence is leaking of urine that you can't control. While it may not be dinner-table conversation, many American men and women suffer from urinary incontinence. We don't know for sure exactly how many. That's because many people do not tell anyone about their symptoms. They may be embarrassed, or they may think nothing can be done. So they suffer in silence.

Urinary incontinence is not a disease. It is a symptom of many conditions. Causes may differ for men and women. But it is not hereditary. And it is not just a normal part of aging. It can affect emotional, psychological and social life. Many people who have urinary incontinence are afraid to do normal daily activities. They don't want to be too far from a toilet. Urinary incontinence can keep people from enjoying life.

Many people think urinary incontinence is just part of getting older. But it's not. And it can be managed or treated.

A quarter to a third of men and women in the United States suffer from urinary incontinence. That means millions of Americans. About 33 million have overactive bladder (also known as OAB) representing symptoms of urgency, frequency and with or without urge incontinence.

Click here to view the CCH American Urological Association incontinence infographic.

Learn about bladder control here.

Studies show that many things increase risk. For example, aging is linked to urinary incontinence. Pregnancy, delivery, and number of children increase the risk in women. Women who have had a baby have higher rates of urinary incontinence. The risk increases with the number of children. This is true for cesarean section (C-section) and vaginal delivery.

Women who develop urinary incontinence while pregnant are more likely to have it afterward. Women after menopause (whose periods have stopped) may develop urinary incontinence. This may be due to the drop in estrogen (the female sex hormone). Taking estrogen, however, has not been shown to help urinary incontinence.

Men who have prostate problems are also at increased risk. Some medications are linked to urinary incontinence and some medicines make it worse. Statistics show that poor overall health also increases risk. Diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and smoking are also linked.

Obesity increases the risk of urinary incontinence. Losing weight can improve bladder function and lessen urinary incontinence symptoms.

Some ways to help with loss of bladder control:

• Drink at least six to seven 8-ounce glasses of water a day
• Pass up things that bother the bladder, such as caffeine, alcohol and spicy foods
• Lose weight
• Do movements to help relax your bladder muscle

Dr. Attila Barabas and Lori McInerney, APRN, at Campbell County Medical Group Urology provide complete urological care for men and women. Dr. Barabas is a board certified urologist who has been in Gillette for more than nine years. Find the CCMG Urology Clinic in the Main Clinic on the south side of Campbell County Memorial Hospital, 501 S. Burma Avenue in Gillette, Wyoming. You can schedule an appointment at 307.688.3636 or learn more at www.cchwyo.org/urology.

Blog and Infographic provided by the American Urological Association, www.urologyhealth.org