HOW COMMON IS INCONTINENCE?

Incontinence affects approximately 10 million Americans, without regard for sex or age.  That means one out of every 25 Americans suffer from some type of incontinence.

DEFINITIONS

Urinary incontinence is defined as the unwanted loss of urine.  Urinary incontinence is very common affecting many millions of Americans.  Many men are too embarrassed to ask for help, and many men don't realize that successful treatment is usually available for most of these patients.  Urinary incontinence is not necessary part of aging, and can happen in young men as well as old and often can be treated.

There are actually many different types of incontinence, and successful treatment of incontinence depends on making the most accurate diagnosis of the type of incontinence that is affecting each individual patient.  The major types of incontinence are urgency incontinence, which means that the man loses urine when he feels a strong urge to go to the bathroom, but cannot get to the bathroom quickly enough is also associated with the urge to urinate when drinking even small amounts of liquids, or associated with severe frequency of urination, day or night, and even associated with bedwetting.

The second type of incontinence is stress incontinence, which means that patients will have unwanted loss of urine when they exercise, or have any sudden movements such as coughing or sneezing or laughing.  It can be from any type of exercises, including getting out of a chair or walking.

The last type of incontinence is overflow incontinence in which the patients are unable to fully empty the bladder, and the urine leaks out uncontrollably often in very small, frequent amounts.  In many patients, the types of incontinence seem to run together.

EVALUATION

Factors that need to be evaluated in any man with incontinence is presence of urinary tract infection, the presence of constipation and a full list of medications that are being taken to see if they have any cause or effect.  A complete medical history and examination and an analysis of the urination are the most basic tests that start any evaluation for urinary incontinence. 

To help us make a firm diagnosis or to help us with treatment to see how successful we are in treating your condition:

• When do you go to the bathroom and how much?
• When do you experience wetness?  During or after lifting?  While coughing, sneezing or    straining?  Day, night, or both?
• Do you have trouble stopping or starting the flow of urine?
• What is your daily fluid intake?
• Be prepared to name the medications you take and any surgery you have had on your urinary tract or around it.  When you have this information ready, it is easier for the doctor to proceed with an evaluation.
• If you have had previous treatment for incontinence, bring those records or X-rays with you.

The doctor will evaluate your condition and decide what treatment is best for you.