T.J. Samson | Destination Health | August 2019

Wellness Some women are too em- barrassed to talk about it, even with trusted loved ones. Oth- ers think that it is just part of getting older. Some women spend a lot of money on pads, limit their activities and try their best to live with it. We’re talking about urinary incontinence— or loss of bladder control. Bladder control problems affect about three times as many women as men. So if you’re experiencing the symptoms of urinary incontinence, you’re definitely not flying solo. And know this: It isn’t some- thing you just have to live with. Don’t be ashamed to talk to your doctor about your problem. “Help is available,” says Mitchell Wia- trak, MD, a urologist at the T.J. Health Pavilion. “But we can only help if you take the first step.” WARNING SIGNS AND CAUSES The symptoms of a bladder control problem depend on the type of urinary incontinence a woman has.The most common types are: Stress incontinence , which occurs when the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder become stretched by pregnancy, childbirth or aging. Women with stress incontinence leak urine when doing every- day activities, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising. Urge incontinence , which is some- times called an overactive or irritable bladder, causes a strong, sudden impulse to urinate. The urge comes on quickly, before a woman can reach a toilet. “The urge is usually associated with other symptoms, such as frequent urina- tion and waking up at night to urinate,” Dr. Wiatrak says. Mixed incontinence , which is a combination of both stress and urge incontinence. WHAT HELPS? Treating a bladder control problem usually starts with steps you can try on your own. For instance, your doctor may recommend: Dietary changes. These may include limiting foods or bever- ages that can irritate the bladder. Kegel exercises. These are exercises that squeeze and strengthen the pelvic muscles used to hold in urine. If you need help locating these mus- cles, a physical therapist can teach you where they are located and how to do the exercises. “Most women can do Kegel exercises on their own, but some will fare better if they see a physical therapist, which we have at T.J. Samson,” Dr. Wiatrak says. Shedding extra pounds. If you’re overweight, losing weight may reduce uri- nary leakage. If lifestyle changes don’t help control your bladder problems enough, your doctor may suggest other treatments, such as: ●  ● Medications that relax the bladder to improve urge incontinence. They have fewer side effects now than in the past. ●  ● Electrical nerve stimulation. This proce- dure, which helps with urge incontinence, requires several sessions and is done in the doctor’s office. Some women may benefit from more invasive procedures. For instance, an electri- cal stimulation device, called an InterStim system, can be implanted under the skin. It targets nerves that control the bladder. Botox injections into the bladder can also help control urge incontinence. And different types of surgery may be an option. Your doc- tor can discuss the pros and cons of each one. The most important thing to remember, says Dr. Wiatrak, is that no one should suf- fer in silence or limit how they live their lives because of incontinence. “This is not something that’s supposed to happen to you,” he says. Men should speak up too While it’s true that urinary incontinence is much more common in women, the condition also affects many men. If you’re a man with urinary symptoms, it’s important to tell your doctor. Don’t let fear or embarrassment keep you from getting the help you need and deserve. Mitchell Wiatrak, MD Urology T.J. Regional Health Ur inary incontinence Don’t suffer in silence 2 DESTINATION HEALTH