Most people don't know that incontinence is not a normal part of getting older, and they are embarrassed to talk about it. It's sad because incontinence alters people's lives. It can be very isolating. Each demands a different treatment, so it's important for the doctor to know whether the problem is one of storing or emptying. To help with the diagnosis, patients should keep a 24-hour diary of intake and output.
Federal guidelines recommend behavior modification as first-line treatment if the patient is able.
This includes scheduling regular bathroom breaks, keeping a log, doing pelvic exercises, and for some, using biofeedback. Surgery can repair muscles that support the bladder, and a variety of devices can be used, most of which are too complex to explain here. One of the newest devices at UCSD's Continence Care Center is the electromagnetic chair. It helps patients who can't do pelvic exercises on their own. The exercises strengthen muscles that have been weakened because of childbirth and aging.