Urinary Incontinence Urinary Incontinence Incontinence is defined as the inability to control urination. It is not a disease, but a condition with severe economical and psychological impact. Urinary incontinence may occur at any age and in any sex. It is estimated that over 12 million Americans suffer from lack of bladder control, but only one fourth seek help. Incontinence is widely treatable, even curable through exercise, changing of diets, medication, certain devices and surgery.
Treatment depends on the type and condition of incontinence.
The goal of Kegel exercises is to strengthen the muscles that control the start and stop of the urination. Urge incontinence may be treated with behavioral modification therapy or with certain medications. Behavioral methods include education and retraining the bladder by urinating according to the schedule that gradually increases the time between bathroom trips. Overflow incontinence due to an enlarged prostate often responds to medications which relax certain muscles allowing the bladder to empty more completely. Prostate surgery should be considered if the benign enlargement is blamed for incontinence.