What to Do for Bladder Leakage

Bladder leakage, also known as urinary incontinence, is an involuntary loss of urine. Bladder leakage can range from the occasional loss of urine from a sneeze or cough to an urge that is so intense that it's hard to make it to the bathroom. But there are methods you can try to better control the urges associated with urinary incontinence.

Symptoms

• There are different types of urinary incontinence, and each has its own symptoms. Stress incontinence happens when exertion is put on your bladder from sneezing, coughing or lifting a heavy object. Urge incontinence is a sudden urge to urinate with only a short warning before a loss of urine. You may also need to urinate frequently. Urge incontinence is also called overactive bladder. Overflow incontinence is when you dribble urine. This happens when you cannot empty your bladder completely.

Treatment

• Bladder training is a rehabilitation method used for urge incontinence. You start off delaying going to the bathroom 10 minutes after you feel the urge. Each time, you try and lengthen the time a few more minutes until you are only going to the bathroom every two to three hours. Bladder training may also involve voiding and then going back in a few minutes and voiding again. This helps to empty the bladder more completely. Cutting back on caffeine and alcohol can help you take better control of your bladder.

Other Treatments

• Pelvic exercises called Kegels strengthen the muscles surrounding the bladder. To find these muscles, lie on the floor and squeeze the muscles you use to stop urine flow and hold for three seconds, then release them for three seconds. Repeat this set 10 times three times a day.

  Another option is to use electrical stimulation. Electrodes are inserted into the vagina or rectum where short electrical bursts are used to stimulate and strengthen pelvic muscles.

  You can try medications such as Ditropan and Vesicare to help calm an overactive bladder. Also, low-dose topical estrogen can be applied to the urethra to help restore tissue in that area and in turn help with incontinence.

  When other treatments don't work, surgery may be recommended. A sling procedure creates a hammock to hold the bladder using your body's tissue or synthetic material. A bladder neck suspension is a procedure to provide support to the urethra and bladder neck. Recovery can take about six weeks with this procedure.

  Absorbent pads can be worn easily under clothes and provide peace of mind. These pads can be purchased at drugstores or medical supply stores.