Millions of people suffer from involuntary loss of urine called Urinary Incontinence (UI). Women are twice as
likely to be affected by UI than men. But, an increasing population of men affected by prostate problems is causing this
number to rise as well. Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and the structure of the female urinary tract account for this
difference. But men can also suffer, expecially after prostate surgery. Both men and women can suffer from UI due to
neurologic injury, birth defects, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and physical problems associated with aging.
Many believe bladder issues are inevitable as they go through life changes and age. Bladder problems are not normal at any
age and the great thing is there is a lot that can be done about it. No single treatment works for everyone but many can
find improvements without surgery. Kim's program will include a thorough evaluation including a history of the problem to
help determine why you are having trouble. Treatment may include training certain muscles to improve bladder control,
teaching you a voiding schedule that can increase your success, and making little changes to your diet that could be
contributing to the problem. There are many hands on treatments that can also help certain types of problems, even things
as simple as helping to gain better control of your posture through massage or stabilization exercises, like Pilates-based
exercises. Each treatment program is created based on your history and symptoms and really strives to meet your personal
goals.
There are three types of UI. They include:
- Stress Incontinence: small volume leakage with coughing, sneezing, or exercise. Continuous dribbling can occur in
women with incomplete closure of the urethra.
- Urge Incontinence: large volume, patients complain of urgency and frequency, may include nocturia (loss of urine
at night).
- Mixed Incontinence: combination of both stress incontinence and urge incontinence.
Check back later for information on pelvic pain.
