Urinary Incontinence Rehabilitation
Health Matters     
 
Women often ask themselves if they are the only ones who have to wear pads for urinary leakage. More than 13 million people in the United States (male and female, young and old) experience urinary incontinence. Many times it is temporary and results from some other medical condition. Leaking urine is not normal in adults. Urinary incontinence can be controlled and treatment generally does not require surgery. You need not be embarrassed by incontinence. You should see a doctor to learn if you need treatment for an underlying medical condition.

Incontinence in women usually occurs because there are problems with the muscles that help to hold or release urine. There are different types of incontinence. At Graves-Gilbert Clinic, we focus on three of them: stress, urge, and mixed incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when a small amount of urine is leaked during physical activity such as running, aerobics, coughing, or sneezing. Urge incontinence occurs when large amounts of urine leak at unexpected times, including sleep. With urge incontinence there is a sudden feeling of the need or urge to urinate followed by leakage. Stress and urge incontinence can occur together, called mixed incontinence.

The first step toward relief is to see a doctor, for example a family practitioner, internist, urologist, or gynecologist. There are several ways to treat incontinence. Physical Therapy can help 70% of the time. Exercises can be done to strengthen or retrain pelvic floor muscles. Biofeedback is used to help you become aware of your body's functioning of the pelvic floor muscles. If biofeedback is unsuccessful, then electrical stimulation can be used to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Timed voiding is a technique where you plan the times you empty your bladder before leakage occurs. Medication can reduce leakage. Surgery is a final option.

Linda Pillow, PT has special training in urinary incontinence and women's health. She has had excellent results with biofeedback and exercise for urinary incontinence while at Graves-Gilbert Clinic.

Many women who could be treated resort to wearing absorbent undergarments. This can lead to diminished self-esteem, as well as skin irritation and sores. Urinary incontinence is common in women. All types of incontinence can be treated at all ages. Do not be embarrassed by incontinence. Ask your doctor to order physical therapy. Call Physical Therapy at 780-0552 if you have any questions.

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