Incontinence Therapy
If you’re avoiding activities you love, because you’re afraid you might lose control of your bladder, it’s likely you suffer from a common condition called urinary incontinence. No, you’re not just “getting old” and no, surgery isn’t the only solution.
What is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control. There are two main types.
Stress incontinence occurs during certain activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercise.
Urge incontinence involves a strong sudden urge followed by instant bladder contraction and involuntary loss of urine.
Test yourself
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, talk to your doctor.
- Do you usually have a strong sense of urgency to urinate?
- Do you have difficulty starting your urine stream?
- Have you been treated for three or more urinary infections?
- Do you lose urine while coughing, laughing, sneezing, lifting or running?
- Does the loss of urine affect your quality of life?
Incontinence Testing
Urodynamic testing is an advanced tool to evaluate problems women may have with the emptying of their bladder.
Urodynamic testing is available at Lakewood Health System Staples Clinic after an initial consultation with Carol Uhlman, OB/GYN. The test is a simple, 30-minute procedure that uses fiber optic capabilities to measure pressure generated by the bladder. Specialized computer software translates the information to provide valuable data on bladder function to help determine the best possible recommendation for treatment.
Biofeedback involves measuring a patient’s muscle tension and contraction. Special sensors, detect muscle activity and the information is displayed in graph form on a computer screen. This allows the patient to perform exercises and receive feedback on the activity, helping her gain awareness and conscious control.
Treatment options
Incontinence therapy is an effective treatment option that uses manual therapy techniques, education, exercise instruction, bladder training and scheduling, electrical stimulation and biofeedback* to improve these symptoms.
Incontinence therapy may eliminate the need for surgery and have you experiencing results sooner than you think.
Staff
Carrie Taylor, a physical therapist at Lakewood Health System, practices incontinence therapy at both the Main Campus and Pillager Clinic. To make an appointment, first consult your family medicine physician.