Stress Incontinence and Urge Incontinence: How to Tell the Difference

These days, doctors are bale to diagnose various forms of incontinence in patients, which enables them to provide better care to them than ever before. Below are some ways in which you are able to tell the difference between stress incontinence and urge-related incontinence, as well as a few handy tips pertaining to incontinence products that can be used to deal with each of them.

#1 – Stress Incontinence

Stress incontinence is diagnosed when urine leaks from the bladder as a result of weakened pelvic floor tissues and muscles, and it usually occurs when laughing, sneezing, exercising or coughing. Although pelvic floor muscles are often weakened during pregnancy and childbirth, other factors that can contribute to this condition include being severely overweight or clinically obese, using some prescription medications or with men, having had prostate surgery performed previously. In many cases, the use of incontinence pads can help you feel more comfortable during your daily routines.

#2 – Urge Incontinence

Urge incontinence is also referred to as overactive bladder (OAB), and it is normally diagnosed when you need to get to a bathroom urgently, but often don’t make it in time. This form of incontinence is often caused as a result of damage being caused to the bladder’s muscles and/or nerves or damage occurring in other parts of the nervous system that may have a direct effect on bladder function. Health conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, stroke, multiple sclerosis and even recurring bladder stones can result in nerve damage, which can promote the onset of urge incontinence.

#3 – Treating Stress Incontinence

Nowadays, there is no reason to suffer in silence if you have been diagnosed with stress incontinence. Along with an array of easy to use incontinence supplies, there are many forms of treatment available. Pelvic floor or Kegel exercises can be done to help strengthen bladder muscles, while having a pessary device installed in the vagina can help reduce incontinence by repositioning the urethra. Other options for treatment include having biofeedback performed, which is usually done in conjunction with Kegels, and surgical procedures that involve pulling the bladder back to its original position or inserting a sling to hold the bladder in place.

#4 – Dealing with Urge Incontinence

Along with using incontinence supplies, a common form of treatment for urge incontinence involves noting the amount of times you urinate during the day and how far apart these are. Once this has been done, gradually increasing the amount of time between bathroom trips can help re-train the bladder muscles to work to their full potential again. Electrical stimulation can be used as well, whereby the bladder nerves are stimulated in such a way that you can regain full control of them, while surgery is usually only performed in extreme circumstances. After surgery, many patients use incontinence products to help them along until healing has taken place.

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer from any form of incontinence, you will know how embarrassing it can be. However, much of this can be alleviated when using the right bowel incontinence products in conjunction with medication and having treatment performed by your doctor. For the widest range of incontinence supplies, contact us at CANMedDirect.ca today.