Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence refers to the accidental leakage of urine.
It affects more women than men.
For urinary control, muscles and nerves must work together to hold urine in the bladder and then release it at the right time.
Nerves carry signals from the brain to the bladder and sphincter. Any disease, condition, or injury that damages nerves can lead to urination problems
There are several different types of urinary incontinence:
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence may happen when there is an increase in abdominal pressure -- such as when you exercise, laugh, sneeze, or cough. Urine leaks due to weakened pelvic floor muscles and tissues.
Causes of stress incontinence include pregnancy and childbirth, which cause stretching and weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. Other factors may also increase the risk for stress incontinence, such as being overweight or obese, having had prostate surgery, and taking certain medications.
Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence is often referred to as overactive bladder: You have an urgent need to go to the bathroom and may not get there in time, leaking urine.
Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and stroke can affect nerves, leading to urge incontinence. Other conditions such as bladder infections, bladder stones, and use of certain medications can also contribute to symptoms.
Some patients have both of these types of urinary incontinence -- stress and urge. This is known as mixed incontinence.
Overflow Incontinence
You may have overflow incontinence if you are not able to empty your bladder appropriately. As a result, you may have leakage once the bladder is already full. This is more common in men with symptoms of frequent dribbling of urine. Causes of overflow incontinence include weak bladder muscles, blockage of the urethra, such as by prostate enlargement, medical conditions, such as tumors, that cause obstruction of urine flow and constipation.
Functional Incontinence
In elderly patients with dementia, poor eye sight or immobility, the patients may be aware of the need for urination, but is unable to do so because of various physical impairment.
Causes of urinary incontinence
Causes of temporary urinary incontinence
Causes of persistent urinary incontinence
Treatment
Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type of incontinence, the severity and the underlying cause.
Behavioural techniques
Behavioural techniques and lifestyle changes work well for certain types of urinary incontinence. They may be the only treatment you need. Bladder training helps by learning to delay urination after you get the urge to go. It also involves double voiding - urinating, then waiting a few minutes and trying again.
Timed urination - going to the toilet according to the clock rather than waiting for the need to go also helps.
Fluid and diet management
In some cases, you can simply modify your daily habits to regain control of your bladder. You may need to cut back on or avoid alcohol, caffeine or acidic foods. Reducing liquid consumption, losing weight or increasing physical activity are other lifestyle changes that can eliminate the problem.
Physical therapy
Pelvic floor muscle exercises can help to strengthen your urinary sphincter and pelvic floor muscles - the muscles that help control urination.
Medications
Often, medications are used in conjunction with behavioral techniques. They can help to calm an overactive bladder, so they may be helpful for urge incontinence. Applying topical estrogen in the form of a vaginal cream may help tone and rejuvenate tissues in the urethra and vaginal areas.
Interventional therapies
This may include bulking material injections, Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injection, and nerve stimulators. Botox injections are usually offered after conventional treatments have failed. Injections of onabotulinum toxinA (Botox) into the bladder muscle may benefit people who have an overactive bladder. However, repeat injections are needed every six to nine months. Sacral nerve stimulators resemble a pacemaker and are implanted under the skin in your buttock. Another device, the tibial nerve stimulator uses an electrode placed underneath the skin to deliver electrical pulses to the tibial nerve in the ankle. These pulses then travel along the tibial nerve to the sacral nerve, where they help control overactive bladder symptoms.
Surgery
Some of the commonly used procedures include sling procedures, bladder neck suspension and artificial urinary sphincter insertion. These procedures are offered when interventional therapies have failed.
Clean intermittent self catheterization or CISC. If you're incontinent because your bladder doesn't empty properly, you may have to learn to insert a soft tube (catheter) into your urethra several times a day to drain your bladder. This should give you more control of your leakage, especially if you have overflow incontinence. You'll be instructed on how to clean these catheters for safe reuse.
Send us an enquiry
Contact Information
Ravenna Urology Clinic
6 Napier Road #07-12, Gleneagles Medical Centre,
Singapore 258499
T +65 64797822
F +65 64793989
24-hour Service: +65 65358833
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 9 am - 5 pm
Sat 9 am - 12:30 pm
Closed on Sun and Public holidays
Website maintained by PAA.
All rights reserved 2014 ~ 2024.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence refers to the accidental leakage of urine.
It affects more women than men.
For urinary control, muscles and nerves must work together to hold urine in the bladder and then release it at the right time.
Nerves carry signals from the brain to the bladder and sphincter. Any disease, condition, or injury that damages nerves can lead to urination problems
There are several different types of urinary incontinence:
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence may happen when there is an increase in abdominal pressure -- such as when you exercise, laugh, sneeze, or cough. Urine leaks due to weakened pelvic floor muscles and tissues.
Causes of stress incontinence include pregnancy and childbirth, which cause stretching and weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. Other factors may also increase the risk for stress incontinence, such as being overweight or obese, having had prostate surgery, and taking certain medications.
Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence is often referred to as overactive bladder: You have an urgent need to go to the bathroom and may not get there in time, leaking urine.
Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and stroke can affect nerves, leading to urge incontinence. Other conditions such as bladder infections, bladder stones, and use of certain medications can also contribute to symptoms.
Some patients have both of these types of urinary incontinence -- stress and urge. This is known as mixed incontinence.
Overflow Incontinence
You may have overflow incontinence if you are not able to empty your bladder appropriately. As a result, you may have leakage once the bladder is already full. This is more common in men with symptoms of frequent dribbling of urine. Causes of overflow incontinence include weak bladder muscles, blockage of the urethra, such as by prostate enlargement, medical conditions, such as tumors, that cause obstruction of urine flow and constipation.
Functional Incontinence
In elderly patients with dementia, poor eye sight or immobility, the patients may be aware of the need for urination, but is unable to do so because of various physical impairment.
Causes of urinary incontinence
Causes of temporary urinary incontinence
Causes of persistent urinary incontinence
Treatment
Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type of incontinence, the severity and the underlying cause.
Behavioural techniques
Behavioural techniques and lifestyle changes work well for certain types of urinary incontinence. They may be the only treatment you need. Bladder training helps by learning to delay urination after you get the urge to go. It also involves double voiding - urinating, then waiting a few minutes and trying again.
Timed urination - going to the toilet according to the clock rather than waiting for the need to go also helps.
Fluid and diet management
In some cases, you can simply modify your daily habits to regain control of your bladder. You may need to cut back on or avoid alcohol, caffeine or acidic foods. Reducing liquid consumption, losing weight or increasing physical activity are other lifestyle changes that can eliminate the problem.
Physical therapy
Pelvic floor muscle exercises can help to strengthen your urinary sphincter and pelvic floor muscles - the muscles that help control urination.
Medications
Often, medications are used in conjunction with behavioral techniques. They can help to calm an overactive bladder, so they may be helpful for urge incontinence. Applying topical estrogen in the form of a vaginal cream may help tone and rejuvenate tissues in the urethra and vaginal areas.
Interventional therapies
This may include bulking material injections, Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injection, and nerve stimulators. Botox injections are usually offered after conventional treatments have failed. Injections of onabotulinum toxinA (Botox) into the bladder muscle may benefit people who have an overactive bladder. However, repeat injections are needed every six to nine months. Sacral nerve stimulators resemble a pacemaker and are implanted under the skin in your buttock. Another device, the tibial nerve stimulator uses an electrode placed underneath the skin to deliver electrical pulses to the tibial nerve in the ankle. These pulses then travel along the tibial nerve to the sacral nerve, where they help control overactive bladder symptoms.
Surgery
Some of the commonly used procedures include sling procedures, bladder neck suspension and artificial urinary sphincter insertion. These procedures are offered when interventional therapies have failed.
Clean intermittent self catheterization or CISC. If you're incontinent because your bladder doesn't empty properly, you may have to learn to insert a soft tube (catheter) into your urethra several times a day to drain your bladder. This should give you more control of your leakage, especially if you have overflow incontinence. You'll be instructed on how to clean these catheters for safe reuse.
Send us an enquiry
Contact Information
Opening Hours
Ravenna Urology Clinic
6 Napier Road #07-12, Gleneagles Medical Centre,
Singapore 258499
T +65 64797822
F +65 64793989
24-hour Service: +65 65358833
Mon-Fri 9 am - 5 pm
Sat 9 am - 12:30 pm
Closed on Sun and Public holidays
Website maintained by PAA.
All rights reserved 2014 ~ 2024.
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence refers to the accidental leakage of urine.
It affects more women than men.
For urinary control, muscles and nerves must work together to hold urine in the bladder and then release it at the right time.
Nerves carry signals from the brain to the bladder and sphincter. Any disease, condition, or injury that damages nerves can lead to urination problems
There are several different types of urinary incontinence:
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence may happen when there is an increase in abdominal pressure -- such as when you exercise, laugh, sneeze, or cough. Urine leaks due to weakened pelvic floor muscles and tissues.
Causes of stress incontinence include pregnancy and childbirth, which cause stretching and weakening of the pelvic floor muscles. Other factors may also increase the risk for stress incontinence, such as being overweight or obese, having had prostate surgery, and taking certain medications.
Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence is often referred to as overactive bladder: You have an urgent need to go to the bathroom and may not get there in time, leaking urine.
Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, and stroke can affect nerves, leading to urge incontinence. Other conditions such as bladder infections, bladder stones, and use of certain medications can also contribute to symptoms.
Some patients have both of these types of urinary incontinence -- stress and urge. This is known as mixed incontinence.
Overflow Incontinence
You may have overflow incontinence if you are not able to empty your bladder appropriately. As a result, you may have leakage once the bladder is already full. This is more common in men with symptoms of frequent dribbling of urine. Causes of overflow incontinence include weak bladder muscles, blockage of the urethra, such as by prostate enlargement, medical conditions, such as tumors, that cause obstruction of urine flow and constipation.
Functional Incontinence
In elderly patients with dementia, poor eye sight or immobility, the patients may be aware of the need for urination, but is unable to do so because of various physical impairment.
Causes of urinary incontinence
Causes of temporary urinary incontinence
Causes of persistent urinary incontinence
Treatment
Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type of incontinence, the severity and the underlying cause.
Behavioural techniques
Behavioural techniques and lifestyle changes work well for certain types of urinary incontinence. They may be the only treatment you need. Bladder training helps by learning to delay urination after you get the urge to go. It also involves double voiding - urinating, then waiting a few minutes and trying again.
Timed urination - going to the toilet according to the clock rather than waiting for the need to go also helps.
Fluid and diet management
In some cases, you can simply modify your daily habits to regain control of your bladder. You may need to cut back on or avoid alcohol, caffeine or acidic foods. Reducing liquid consumption, losing weight or increasing physical activity are other lifestyle changes that can eliminate the problem.
Physical therapy
Pelvic floor muscle exercises can help to strengthen your urinary sphincter and pelvic floor muscles - the muscles that help control urination.
Medications
Often, medications are used in conjunction with behavioral techniques. They can help to calm an overactive bladder, so they may be helpful for urge incontinence. Applying topical estrogen in the form of a vaginal cream may help tone and rejuvenate tissues in the urethra and vaginal areas.
Interventional therapies
This may include bulking material injections, Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injection, and nerve stimulators. Botox injections are usually offered after conventional treatments have failed. Injections of onabotulinum toxinA (Botox) into the bladder muscle may benefit people who have an overactive bladder. However, repeat injections are needed every six to nine months. Sacral nerve stimulators resemble a pacemaker and are implanted under the skin in your buttock. Another device, the tibial nerve stimulator uses an electrode placed underneath the skin to deliver electrical pulses to the tibial nerve in the ankle. These pulses then travel along the tibial nerve to the sacral nerve, where they help control overactive bladder symptoms.
Surgery
Some of the commonly used procedures include sling procedures, bladder neck suspension and artificial urinary sphincter insertion. These procedures are offered when interventional therapies have failed.
Clean intermittent self catheterization or CISC. If you're incontinent because your bladder doesn't empty properly, you may have to learn to insert a soft tube (catheter) into your urethra several times a day to drain your bladder. This should give you more control of your leakage, especially if you have overflow incontinence. You'll be instructed on how to clean these catheters for safe reuse.
Send us an enquiry
Contact Information
Ravenna Urology Clinic
6 Napier Road #07-12, Gleneagles Medical Centre,
Singapore 258499
T +65 64797822
F +65 64793989
24-hour Service: +65 65358833
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 9 am - 5 pm
Sat 9 am - 12:30 pm
Closed on Sun and Public holidays
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