How to Overcome Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a condition in which a person experiences the involuntary, uncontrolled leakage of urine. Urinary incontinence is a common problem afflicting people from all walks of life, both sexes and of a variety of ages. In most cases, urinary incontinence stems from some other underlying medical condition, disease or illness.

Things You'll Need

• Prescription for medication (if recommended by doctor)

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Instructions

• 1

  Make an appointment with your general practitioner if you find yourself experiencing what you believe are the symptoms of urinary incontinence with increasing frequency. Your physician will perform a series of basic tests to confirm whether you are suffering from urinary incontinence. These tests include a stress test, urinalysis, blood test and possibly an ultrasound.

• 2

  Undertake additional testing (once a determination is made that you do, in fact, have urinary incontinence) to ascertain what underlying condition may be the cause of urinary incontinence. Because incontinence oftentimes is the result of another problem, it needs to be identified to ensure the proper course of treatment.

• 3

  Obtain a referral to a urologist if necessary. If the cause of urinary incontinence if deemed as not the result of some other condition that your doctor (or another specialist) can resolve, the next course of action for you to take is obtaining assistance from a urologist.

• 4

  Follow the course of treatment prescribed by the urologist as closely as possible. In most cases a urologist initially recommends certain exercises focusing on the pelvic area for people with urinary incontinence. If this initial course of treatment does not work, your specialist likely will recommend medications to obtain relief from incontinence. If nothing else works, surgical procedures are available.

• 5

  Schedule a follow-up appointment with your doctor both during the course of treatment and within three months of concluding a course of treatment. Even when you experience relief from urinary incontinence, a follow-up appointment is advisable to ensure the cause of the problem fully is resolved.