Education Is Key Despite how prevalent and treatable incontinence is, a variety of national and international professional organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, have noted a lack of professional and public knowledge about incontinence and its treatment. Sant agrees, but he has noticed the beginning of an encouraging trend. Apparently, the word is spreading that incontinence is neither inevitable nor shameful but instead treatable or, at least, manageable. Carolyn J. Strange is a science and medical writer living in Northern California. In the majority of cases, continence can be restored or improved with behavioral techniques, devices, drugs, or surgery.
Incontinence is a normal consequence of aging.
Age-related changes in the lower urinary tract may make older people more likely to experience incontinence, but for most older people, even the very old and frail, incontinence can be treated successfully. The only successful treatment is surgery. Incontinence is inevitable for women who have given birth. Exercises often help. A little leakage sometimes, such as during a sneeze or cough, is no big deal.