Bladder Problems

Urinary incontinence is when urine leaks out before you get to the bathroom, and is one of the bladder problems that millions of adults have. Bladder problems can occur at any age, although older people are more likely to have them. There are many reasons why people may have bladder problems. Today, there are more treatments for bladder problems than ever before.

 

Bladder Problems: An Overview

If you sometimes wet yourself, you are not alone. Millions of adults have this bladder problem, which is called urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is when urine leaks out before you get to the bathroom. You may think that the only way to deal with this problem is to wear adult diapers, or pads, but today there are better ways to treat bladder problems, including taking different medicines.
 
With proper treatment, hopefully you will not have to worry about things, such as:
 
  • Rashes
  • Sores
  • Bladder infections
  • Problems having sex
  • Being unable to sleep
  • Being embarrassed to go out in public
  • Being self-conscious when meeting with friends.
     

Understanding Bladder Control and Bladder Problems

The body stores urine in the bladder. During urination, muscles in the bladder contract (tighten). This forces urine out of the bladder and into a tube called the urethra, which carries urine out of the body. At the same time, the muscles surrounding the urethra relax and let the urine pass through. Spinal nerves control how these muscles move. Bladder problems can occur if the bladder muscles contract, or the muscles surrounding the urethra relax, without warning.
 

Causes of Bladder Problems

There are many reasons adults may have bladder problems. Sometimes bladder problems are caused by an illness, and when the illness goes away, so do the bladder problems. For example, bladder infections and, if you are a woman, infections in the vagina can cause incontinence for a short while. Being unable to have a bowel movement, or taking certain medicines, may also make it hard to control your bladder.
 
Sometimes bladder problems last longer. In these cases, bladder problems may be caused by:
 

 

    • Pregnancy
    • Childbirth.
 
Sometimes the weakened muscles cause urine to leak out during activities, such as:
 
  • Coughing
  • Laughing
  • Sneezing
  • Other certain activities.
     
Aging does not cause bladder problems, although bladder problems are more common in the elderly.
 

Types of Bladder Problems

There are several different types of bladder problems including:
 
  • Stress incontinence
  • Urge incontinence (overactive bladder)
  • Overflow incontinence
  • Functional incontinence.
     
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence happens when urine leaks during activities including:
 
  • Exercise
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
  • Laughing
  • Lifting heavy objects
  • Other body movements that put pressure on the bladder.
     
This type of bladder problem is the most common type of bladder control problem in younger and middle-aged women. In some cases it is related to childbirth. Stress urinary incontinence may also begin around the time of menopause.
 
Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence (also known as overactive bladder) happens when people can't hold their urine long enough to get to the toilet in time. Healthy people can have urge incontinence, but it is often found in people who have:
 
This type of bladder problem is also sometimes an early sign of bladder cancer.
 
Overflow Incontinence
Overflow incontinence occurs when small amounts of urine leak from a bladder that is always full. A man can have trouble emptying his bladder if an enlarged prostate is blocking the urethra. Diabetes and spinal cord injury can also cause this type of bladder problem.
 
Functional Incontinence
Functional incontinence happens in many older people who have normal bladder control. They just have a hard time getting to the toilet in time, because of arthritis, or other disorders that make it difficult to move quickly.
 

Diagnosing Bladder Problems

The first step in treating bladder problems is to see a doctor. In order to make a bladder problem diagnosis, he or she will give you a physical exam and ask about your medical history. The doctor will also ask about your symptoms, and the medicines you use. He or she will want to know if you have been sick recently, or had surgery. Your doctor may also do a number of tests, which may include:
 
  • Urine and blood tests
  • Tests that measure how well you empty your bladder.
     
In addition, your doctor may ask you to keep a daily diary of when you urinate, and when you leak urine. Your pattern of urinating and urine leakage may suggest which type of incontinence you have.
 

Treatment for Bladder Problems

Today there are more treatments for bladder problems than ever before. The choice of treatment for bladder problems depends on:
 
  • The type of bladder control problem you have
  • How serious it is
  • What best fits your lifestyle.
     
Different treatment options for bladder problems may include:
 
  • Bladder or habit training.
  • Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or cutting out certain foods
  • Devices, such as a pessary (a ring placed in the vagina to support the urethra) or urine seals
  • Medications
  • Surgery.
     
As a general rule, the simplest and safest urinary incontinence treatment should be tried first.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD