When It’s Always Time To Go

Always-Time-to-GoFrom the Spring 2012 Healthy Woman publication

How to deal wtih urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence doesn't keep you guessing: There's no mistaking the frequent need to run to the bathroom or the fear that a cough or laugh could cause an "accident." Yet, there are solutions and they may be easier than you think, according to Urologist John Lynam, DO, with Lakeshore Urology.

 

Why us?

"Women suffer from incontinence more than men. This is primarily because of childbirth, particularly vaginal delivery, which stretches out the pelvic tissues and may lead to stress incontinence, the most common kind of incontinence," said Lynam. Stress incontinence occurs when you laugh, sneeze, couch, or put pressure on your pelvic floor. The other most common type is urge incontinence, when you have a sudden urge to urinate even soon after you've emptied your bladder.

It's NOT Natural

"Bladder control issues do not need to be a natural part of the aging process," said Lynam. "So many women have incontinence issues and I tell them, 'why not have something done to make your life better if you can?' There are many options today." More than 13 million American women have bladder control problems, yet most of them are undiagnosed or untreated, according to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Going...Going...GONE!

There are many kinds of incontinence and treatments will depend on the type, said Lynam:

Lifestyle changes May include avoiding bladder stimulation, such as caffeine, plus maintaining a healthy weight, and cutting out cigarettes.

Medical therapy Including medications to increase muscle control or relax the bladder so it can hold more.


Visit the Porter Health System website
Valparaiso Campus
814 LaPorte Avenue
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Phone: 219-263-4600

Physical therapy and biofeedback Physical therapy goes well beyond traditional Kegel exercises. Plus, many of us are actually doing our Kegels incorrectly, according to physical therapists. Porter's Physical Therapy Department has recently added new physical therapy services specifically designed to assist women with incontinence issues.

Surgery In some cases surgery is the most effective treatment. For more stress incontinence problems, the solution is a simple, 30-minute procedure, typically done as an outpatient. The surgery requires three tiny incisions (one centimeter), and recovery is rapid. "Most women wonder why they waited so long," said Lynam. He reports that more than 85 percent of patients find relief after surgery.

Dr. Lynam is a member of the medical staff at Porter. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Lynam at Lakeshore Urology, call 219.263.7700.