Can I Prevent Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is a common problem for both women and men. It also affects people of all ages, but it becomes even more widespread later in life. 

Unfortunately, studies show that at least half of people living with urinary leakage don’t talk to their provider about it. They should. Numerous solutions are available for incontinence, along with ways to keep this issue from interfering with daily life.

Our team at Urology Associates of Southeastern North Carolina can demystify urinary incontinence. We can also provide the tools you need to manage this condition and prevent it from being a problem moving forward. 

Understanding urinary incontinence

Before getting into managing and preventing urinary incontinence, it’s helpful to have a better understanding of the condition.

When you experience urinary incontinence, you leak urine when you don’t want to, like when you cough or sneeze. Urinary incontinence takes several forms and occurs for various reasons, such as:

• Stress incontinence: Urine leaks because of pressure on your bladder, as from laughing
• Urge incontinence: A need to urinate suddenly, intensely, or often
• Overflow incontinence: Leaking because the bladder doesn’t empty fully
• Functional incontinence: An impairment interferes with getting to the bathroom in time
• Mixed incontinence: More than one incontinence, most often stress and urge

Not only are there several forms of incontinence, but different factors can trigger your symptoms.

Causes of urinary incontinence

People can experience urinary incontinence for a variety of reasons. In some cases, it’s everyday habits, like consuming caffeine, alcohol, or carbonated beverages. However, you can also have involuntary leakage because of physical problems or underlying medical conditions. 

Common causes of urinary incontinence include:

• Taking certain medications or large doses of vitamin C
• Eating foods high in sugar, acid, or spice, like citrus fruits
• Having a urinary tract infection
• Being constipated
• Going through hormonal changes, like pregnancy or menopause
• Having an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer
• Experiencing age-related changes in muscles
• Delivering a baby vaginally
• Living with neurological disorders, like stroke, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis
• Having an obstruction in the urinary tract, like a tumor or kidney stone

Since urinary incontinence has so many forms and causes, it’s important to talk to your doctor to identify what’s to blame for your symptoms.

Preventing urinary incontinence

As you can see, it isn’t always easy or possible to prevent this bladder problem. However, you can reduce your chances of it occurring.

Our team recommends:

• Practicing healthy weight management
• Doing exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor
• Avoiding things that irritate the bladder, like caffeine and alcohol
• Eating a high-fiber diet to prevent constipation
• Quitting smoking

And, if you can’t prevent urinary incontinence, we can treat your condition so it no longer interferes with your daily life. 

These strategies vary depending on the severity and cause of your symptoms, but they might include medication, medical devices, interventional therapies — like Botox® injections — or surgery.

Are you struggling with urinary leakage? Contact the Urology Associates of Southeastern North Carolina nearest you, in Wilmington and Southport, North Carolina, to schedule a consultation today.