What is incontinence?
Incontinence, or urinary incontinence, is the involuntary loss of urine, whether the loss is a small dribble or the entire contents of your bladder. Though your risk of developing urinary incontinence increases as you get older, it’s not a normal part of the aging process.
When urinary incontinence disrupts your daily routine, it’s time to schedule a consultation at the Wellife Center.
What are the types of urinary incontinence?
There are many types of urinary incontinence. The most common include:
Stress incontinence
When you leak urine because of stress or pressure on your bladder, such as when you sneeze or lift a heavy item, you have stress incontinence.
Urge incontinence
With urge incontinence, also known as overactive bladder (OAB), you have an intense and unexpected urge to urinate. The urge may be so strong that you may not make it to the bathroom in time.
Mixed incontinence
Mixed incontinence means you have more than one type. People with mixed incontinence most often struggle with stress and urge incontinence.
What causes urinary incontinence?
Your urinary incontinence may develop from any number of causes, including your daily habits or an underlying medical problem. The common causes of urinary incontinence include:
- Alcohol or caffeine consumption (which act as a diuretic)
- Urinary tract infection (UTI)
- Constipation
- Obstruction (e.g., enlarged prostate, kidney stone)
- Neurological condition
Weakening of your pelvic floor muscles may also be the underlying cause of your urinary incontinence. The pelvic floor muscles support your bladder and rectum, as well as your reproductive organs. They also help control bladder function.
How is urinary incontinence treated?
The Wellife Center team takes a holistic approach to care. They customize your incontinence treatment plan based on type, cause, severity of symptoms, and personal preferences. Your treatment plan may include lifestyle modifications and pelvic floor exercises.
Depending on the cause of your incontinence, the team may suggest treatment with Emsella® or ThermiVa®.
Emsella
Emsella is a noninvasive treatment that uses electromagnetic energy to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. During treatment, you sit in the Emsella chair, which induces thousands of pelvic floor muscle contractions during your short session.
The team offers Emsella for both men and women.
ThermiVa
ThermiVa is a treatment for women that uses radiofrequency energy to improve vaginal health and strength. Many women experience urinary incontinence from changes in vaginal tissue related to a decrease in estrogen levels.
Improving vaginal health and strength may alleviate urinary incontinence.
To gain control over incontinence, call the Wellife Center or schedule an appointment using the online booking button.
