When you understand your body, it's easier to take control and get the help you need to live your life, as you want. We'll start out with a snap shot of how your system processes urine—Urinary Tract 101, if you will! Then we'll identify some of the most common causes and types of little bladder leaks among women. Knowing the basics will help you understand your needs and how best to talk with your doctor. In many cases, little bladder leaks can be cured and in all cases it can be managed.
The Urinary Tract
Your urinary tract is a system for collecting, storing and expelling liquid waste (urine) from your body. The bladder stores the urine. When the bladder is full, it triggers the urge to expel the stored urine through the urethra. Special muscles called sphincter muscles hold the urethral tube closed so that you can control the release of urine. Another muscle group called the pubococcygeus (PCG), also helps in the process. It encircles the urethra, vagina and rectum. Many women with incontinence, or loss of bladder control, have weakened or damaged muscles, and may not be able to sense when their bladders are full, which leads to difficulty in controlling urination. Many women are able to gain back some strength in these muscles and minimize lack of bladder control by learning and practicing Kegel exercises.
Urine is about 95 percent water and five percent waste. Some people incorrectly believe that by drinking less fluid, they will reduce their bladder control loss. In fact, urine that is more concentrated due to lack of fluid intake can irritate the bladder and cause more serious problems such as infection and dehydration. In addition, inadequate fluid intake can cause constipation, which may also make matters worse.
Common Causes of Little Bladder Leaks.
Little bladder leaks are not an inevitable part of getting older. And it's not something you just have to "live with" after bearing a child. Little bladder leaks are not a disease—it is a symptom of another medical condition or the side effect of a medication. Read on and you'll see there are a number of things that can cause bladder control loss. It's helpful to recognize what kind of bladder control loss you might have so you understand it and can better explain it to your health care provider.
Short Term Bladder Loss: Urinary tract and bladder infections, constipation and medication side effects are some of the most readily treated causes of short-term bladder control loss. Following a visit to your physician, relief is usually quick.
Longer Term: Childbirth, auto accidents or surgical procedures can sometimes cause longer-term conditions. Recovery from these causes may affect the rate at which little bladder leaks can improve.
What type of little bladder leaks do you have?
Stress Incontinence: Women with stress incontinence may experience urine leakage when coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, lifting and performing other kinds of strenuous activity. Childbirth and some surgeries can weaken the pelvic floor (the muscles under the bladder) allowing urine to leak when the abdomen is under stress.
Urge Incontinence: Women with urge incontinence may lose large amounts of urine. There's a feeling of not being able to reach the bathroom fast enough. Many women experience urge incontinence due to infections that irritate the bladder or urethra, or cause muscle spasms, which force the urine out of the bladder. Constipation can also cause urge incontinence through the loss of muscle control. A stroke, spinal cord injury, dementia or diseases that affect the nervous system, such as Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis can bring it on.
Mixed Incontinence: Many women experience both stress and urge incontinence at different times or under different circumstances. The causes of the two forms may or may not be related and should be evaluated separately.
Less common forms of little bladder leaks include:
Overflow Incontinence: Some women either do not get the urge to urinate or have a blockage in the urethra (the tube that passes from the bladder out of the body). In both of these instances, the bladder never completely empties, and when it overfills, excess urine is forced out. Nervous system disorders and spinal cord injuries are frequent causes of overflow incontinence.
Medication-Related: Some medications may cause lack of bladder control by relaxing muscles or by blocking signals sent from a full bladder to the brain. In these instances, your doctor may change your medications to eliminate the side effects. Absorbent products like Poise® pads and liners can help minimize the problem until you are taken off the medication.
See Your Doctor
Now that you have a better understanding of your body and the causes and types of little bladder leaks it should be a little easier to talk with your doctor. You can help your doctor make an accurate assessment by completing a urine voiding diary for seven days before your visit. Also, make a list of any prescription and over-the counter medications you're taking and let him/her know of any family history, accidents and injuries that might be contributing to your little bladder leaks. Keep in mind that many women who seek treatment see an improvement in their situation.
