A burst of laughter at the end of a meal washed with plenty of wine and .... oops!

Another case of poor bladder control. Several menopausal women have had this embarrassing experience which, for them, was the first sign of stress incontinence They try to deal with the problem by wearing sanitary pads; however; these pads aren't designed to absorb urine and have let many women down. Some specialized products offer better protection. Also , with the help of a doctor, the problem can be reduced or even eliminated altogether.

Why remain silent about a condition that is so common and has treatable medical causes?

The stress incontinence previously described is caused by a weakening of the perineal muscles, which contract in order to retain urine in the bladder. At menopause, these muscles may fail to do the job, since they no longer benefit from the effects of estrogen. This phenomenon occurs mainly when strong pressure is exerted on the bladder and when other factors help relax the muscles. In most cases, this type of incontinence can be treated.

Urge incontinence occurs among men and women suffering from neurological diseases such as Parkinson's or a stroke. In urge incontinence episodes, the person can't get to the toilet in time. When they feel the urge, they are unable to retain urine in the bladder long enough or they simply do not feel the urge before it is too late.

The other type of incontinence is called "overflow incontinence".

It affects mainly men who can't empty their bladder completely because their inflamed prostate is blocking the flow of urine. Since their bladder always contains urine residue, urine overflow

can result. This urine residue also causes urinary infections that will aggravate incontinence.

Urinary infections, alcohol or a full bladder will aggravate all these types of incontinence.

Taking certain medications that increase the amount of urine produced (diuretics) could also promote incontinence. However, contrary to what you might think, people who suffer from incontinence must drink a lot of fluids, in order to reduce the risk of infection and keep their urinary tracts in good working order.

The first thing to do in case of incontinence is to ensure that the person affected is protected, should a second episode occur. There are several products that offer different levels of protection against involuntary urination. Men suffering from severe incontinence can use a system comprised of a bag attached to a specially designed condom to be worn at all times. Probes (catheters) shouldn't be used for long periods, because they cause permanent bladder infections.

Stress incontinence can be corrected quite easily. A gynecological consultation will allow a doctor to determine whether to prescribe estrogens a cervical cap (device that holds the bladder in place) or surgery. Since this type of incontinence is caused by a weakening of the perineal muscles, many women may want to tone this group of muscles by doing "Kegel" exercises. In addition to facilitating urinary control, these exercises help women get more enjoyment out of sexual relations

First the muscles that need exercising must be identified. To do this, the woman must, when urinating, contract the muscles that will stop the urine flow. This will show her which muscles she must contract repetitively (from 10 to 20 times) for periods of 4 seconds. It is suggested to do this routine many times every day

As for urge incontinence, the person affected should live in a properly adapted environment. A re-organized bathroom and a regular urination schedule (every 30 minutes) will solve many problems.

Medication may also be tried. Overflow incontinence can be treated by eliminating or reducing obstruction. Surgical methods can be used to help people with bladder stones or prostate problems. These days, there are drugs that can help correct prostate disorders

By asking you some questions, your pharmacist can help you make the healthiest choice.

Find out more!

Courtesy - Liverpool Pharmacy 715 Krosno Blvd