Incontinence
Incontinence is the loss of bladder or bowel control resulting in involuntary loss of urine or stool. Pelvic floor weakness resulting in a loss of muscular support for the bladder, uterus or rectum may be the cause. Incontinence of urine may be termed stress, urgency, or frequency.
Urinary Incontinence
The Problem...
Women of all ages, children as well as adults, may experience an uncontrolled loss of urine, called urinary incontinence. Weakness of the pelvic floor muscles which form a sling around the vagina (birth canal), the urethra (tube from the bladder) and the rectum may cause incontinence (leakage). Aging, pregnancy, childbirth, chronic constipation, and chronic coughing can weaken the pelvic floor muscles. If you notice urine leaking when you cough, lift, sneeze or exercise, you may have the most common type of leakage, called stress incontinence. If you feel a sudden and strong need to urinate and sometimes do not make it to the bathroom in time, you may have urge incontinence. A combination of both types of incontinence is called mixed incontinence.
After Prostate Surgery
The Problem...
Various surgeries are performed for diseases of the prostate gland. Removal of part of all of the prostate gland is called a prostatectomy. Some urinary incontinence (leakage) is common immediately after the surgery. Fortunately, in most cases, the leakage decreases with time and healing. However, for some men, the leakage persists past the healing time, and treatment becomes necessary. Common types of incontinence (leakage) are:
- stress incontinence: loss of urine with a cough, laugh, or sneeze
- urge incontinence: loss of urine with a strong "urge" and difficulty making it to the bathroom on time
- mixed incontinence: combination of stress and urge incontinence symptoms
Why Physical Therapy ?...
While incontinence is common, it is not normal and can be treated by a medical team approach, including a physical therapist. The physical therapist can evaluate your problem and help you manage the debilitating effects of urinary incontinence. Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can prevent, decrease or even stop the leakage of urine altogether.
If you think you may benefit from physical therapy...
to help you manage your incontinence following prostate surgery, ask your physician to refer you to a physical therapist, who is specialized in this treatment area. Insurance payment varies region to region, so check your individual policy for coverage.
A suggested program may include...
- instruction in exercises to improve pelvic floor function
- gentle electrical stimulation, on or near the pelvic floor, to improve muscle function
- biofeedback training to help you learn to locate and use the pelvic floor muscles correctly
- bladder training to help regain normal bladder function/habits
Other physical therapy suggestions that may help you in the future include...
- instructing you on correct lifting and moving techniques
- teaching you how to do a bladder training program
- teaching you how to brace the pelvic floor muscles when you cough, laugh, or sneeze
- suggesting lifestyle changes which affect your bladder, including eating and drinking habits
If you would like to learn more...
please contact us to schedule an appointment.
