Bladder Health Month: Topic #1--Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is defined as “an involuntary loss of urine that causes a social or hygienic problem”.  It is typically classified as being “stress”, “urge”, or “mixed”.  Stress incontinence implies loss of urine under physically stressful conditions—coughing, sneezing, lifting, and exercising.  It does NOT mean that you are stressed out (although wetting yourself at the gym can certainly be stressful).  Urge incontinence implies losing urine due to a sudden urge to void that cannot be suppressed or delayed.  Mixed incontinence means both types of leakage exist together.

Do you have incontinence?  Has your doctor questioned and examined you well enough to have determined what type of incontinence you have?  Do you have a clear treatment plan?  If your doctor has ignored your complaints of incontinence or if invasive testing or treatment has been recommended without a thorough history and physical exam, then you are not getting the care you deserve. 

Many patients with incontinence can be cured and nearly all can be successfully treated.  If you continue to struggle with urinary incontinence, we can help.