Questions and Answers - Recent questions and answers in Urinary Incontinence OAB

Answered: How can postvoid residual syndrome help in the diagnosis of overactive bladder?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:26:29 +0000

This test checks to see whether the bladder empties fully by passing a flexible tube called a catheter through your urethra and into your bladder after you’ve urinated. The catheter drains the urine that remains in your bladder and measures it. Another way to test postvoid residual urine is with a bladder scanner that uses ultrasound, a test that uses sound waves to look at how much urine is left in your bladder after you go. The bladder scanner is a painless procedure. Ultrasound gel is placed on your lower abdomen and the machine calculates the volume of urine left in your bladder.

Answered: How is interstitial cystitis treated?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:25:48 +0000

Doctors don’t know the cause of interstitial cystitis, so it’s harder to treat. But they may suggest that you:

Avoid spicy foods and foods high in potassium.
Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
Learn “bladder training”: changing your peeing habits so you don’t have to go as often.
Take medicine that relaxes your bladder and eases some symptoms.
Try mild electrical pulses to stimulate your nerves.

Answered: How can you get cystitis?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:25:20 +0000

Besides E. coli, you can also get cystitis from:

Chemicals in personal care products, such as bubble baths, soaps, and spermicides
Chemotherapy drugs
Damage from bladder surgery or a catheter -- a tube that helps empty pee from your bladder
Radiation to treat cancer around your pelvis

Answered: How can avoiding trigger foods help you live with incontinence?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:24:37 +0000

Notice which foods and drinks make you need to pee, like those that have alcohol and caffeine in them. Spicy foods, high-acid foods such as citrus fruits and juices, and carbonated drinks can also bring about the urge to go.

If you find that your incontinence gets worse after you have any of these, cut back or quit them.

Answered: What are treatments for incontinence?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:24:00 +0000

Four out of 5 people with urinary incontinence can get better with treatment.

Sometimes a simple dietary change, such as cutting back on fluids, is all you need.

Try a combination of approaches. Your doctor may have you do Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and to use pads or disposable underwear just in case.

If you need a little more help, your doctor may recommend prescription medication or surgery. They might suggest “sling surgery,” an operation designed to support the bladder or urethra and prevent leaks.

Answered: When should you call a doctor about cystitis?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:23:30 +0000

Call your doctor if you have these symptoms of cystitis:

Get help right away if you have these signs of a kidney infection:

Blood in your urine
Signs and symptoms that last more than several hours
Symptoms that come back after your finish taking antibiotics
High fever
Pain in your side or back
Shaking and chills
Throwing up
Upset stomach

Answered: If you have cystitis that isn’t interstitial or caused by bacteria, how is it treated?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:23:07 +0000

If you have cystitis triggered by soaps, bubble baths, and the like, it’s best to avoid those products. If you’re getting chemo or radiation, your doctor can give you pain medicine and discuss how to take in more fluids to flush out your bladder.

Answered: What causes cystitis?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:22:35 +0000

Usually, bacteria such as E. coli cause cystitis. They normally live on your skin and in your intestines, and they’re not a problem. But if they get into the urethra, which is the tube that carries pee out of your body, bacteria can end up in your bladder and cause issues.

Answered: What tests do doctors use to diagnose cystitis?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:22:03 +0000

To diagnose cystitis, your doctor may use:

Cystoscopy, which puts a thin tube with a camera into your urethra to look for problems or get a tissue sample.
Imaging. An ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI can show issues.
Intravenous urogram (IVU). It’s an X-ray that takes images of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder.
Voiding cystourethrography, which puts dye into your bladder to see if any urine flows backward.
Retrograde urethrography, which uses contrast dye to find problems in the urethra.

Answered: How does percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for overactive bladder (OAB) work?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:21:10 +0000

Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS). This treatment isn’t surgery. Your doctor inserts a thin needle under the skin of your ankle near the tibial nerve.

A stimulator on the outside of your body sends electrical impulses through the needle to the nerve, and on to other nerves in your spine that control your bladder.

Each PTNS treatment takes about 30 minutes. Usually, you'll have 12 sessions, once a week. You might need more sessions to keep seeing results.

Answered: What is a urine potassium test?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:20:30 +0000

This simple test can give your doctor more information about your health when other tests, like blood potassium tests or kidney function tests, show a problem.

Potassium is a type of mineral called an electrolyte that helps your cells and organs work. Your body needs it to digest food, keep your heart beating right, and many other activities. You get most of your potassium from foods. Your body uses what it needs, and your kidneys put the rest into your urine as waste.

Answered: When might you not be able to use percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTSNS) for overactive bladder (OAB)?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:19:29 +0000

Not everyone is a good fit for PTNS. You might not be able to use this device if you:

Have a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator
Have a high chance of bleeding
Have nerve damage that affects your tibial nerve or pelvic organs
Are pregnant or plan to get pregnant during treatment

Answered: How does transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) for overactive bladder (OAB) work?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:18:54 +0000

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). This procedure strengthens the muscles that control urination. Your doctor places thin wires inside your vagina, if you’re female, or in your bottom, if you’re male. It delivers pulses of electricity that stimulate your bladder muscles to make them stronger. Studies show that electrical stimulation works better than fake stimulation (placebo) or Kegel exercises to relieve OAB symptoms. It's not clear whether one type of stimulation works better or is safer than another.

Answered: What causes overflow incontinence?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:18:25 +0000

Overflow incontinence is more common in men than women. The most common cause in men is an enlarged prostate. Other causes include:

Blockages of the urethra from tumors, urinary stones, scar tissue, swelling from infection, or kinks caused by dropping of the bladder within the abdomen
Weak bladder muscles
Injury to nerves that affect the bladder
Nerve damage from diseases such as diabetes, alcoholism, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or spina bifida
Medications

Answered: Can urinary catheters leak?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:17:45 +0000

Yes. This may be a sign that your catheter is blocked by clotted blood or debris, which is common with indwelling catheters. Tell your doctor if you see blood clots in your urine or you think something is blocking the flow of urine.

Answered: What are side effects of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTSNS) for overactive bladder (OAB)?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:17:16 +0000

Side effects from PTNS are rare, and they're usually minor. They include:

Bruises or bleeding where the needle is inserted
Tingling or mild pain

Answered: When will I see results of Kegel exercises?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:13:51 +0000

It takes time to strengthen pelvic floor muscles. Give it 3 to 6 weeks. Do them daily.

Answered: Can Kegel exercises help with sex?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:13:24 +0000

Yes. When your pelvic floor muscles are in shape, they'll contract more strongly during an orgasm.

Answered: How is overflow incontinence diagnosed?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:12:30 +0000

First, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. Next, your doctor will examine you and look for signs of damage to the nerves that affect the bladder and rectum. Then, your doctor will order tests of your urine, bladder, and other parts of your urinary system.

Answered: What are the treatments for overflow incontinence?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:11:34 +0000

Treating overflow incontinence can be difficult, but for some men with an enlarged prostate, medication can help relax the muscle at the base of the urethra and allow urine to pass from the bladder.

If medications do not relieve overflow incontinence, your doctor will have you use a catheter to ensure your bladder is emptied when you go to the bathroom.

Surgery may be needed if overflow incontinence is caused by a blockage, such as prostate enlargement.

Answered: What causes shy bladder?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:10:42 +0000

It isn’t a problem with your urinary system. Rather, it’s nervousness about peeing when you’re around other people. It’s considered a social anxiety disorder. Anxiety fills a part of your nervous system with adrenaline, and the muscles that let you empty your bladder just freeze up.

Maybe it started when your parents criticized you during potty training, or in school when someone bullied you or made fun of you in the restroom. Or it could have happened at the doctor’s office, when you couldn’t pee on cue for a urine sample. At worst, it could relate to sexual abuse that happened in a restroom.

Answered: How do you do pelvic exercise to treat urinary incontinence?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:08:10 +0000

Here's how to do pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises:

1. Squeeze the muscles that you use stop the flow of urine.

2. Hold the squeeze for 10 seconds, then rest for 10 seconds.

3. Do 3 or 4 sets daily.

Note: You can learn how to do Kegels by stopping your urine, but don’t do this often. It can lead to an infection.

Answered: How can timed voiding help treat stress incontinence?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:06:53 +0000

With timed voiding, you record when you pee and when you leak urine. This will give you an idea of your leakage "patterns" so you can avoid leaking in the future by going to the bathroom at those times.

Answered: How can artificial sphincter help with treating urinary incontinence?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:03:52 +0000

An artificial sphincter is made of three parts: a pump, a pressure-regulating balloon, and a cuff that goes around your urethra and keeps urine from leaking.

Answered: How can pelvic floor exercises help with urinary incontinence?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:02:27 +0000

Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles you squeeze when you try to stop peeing mid-stream.

Answered: What is urinary stress incontinence?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:01:09 +0000

Urinary stress incontinence is when an activity, such as coughing or sneezing, causes a small amount of urine to leak from the tube urine passes through (the urethra). Stress incontinence (SI) is the most common type of incontinence among women, especially older women. Women who have given birth are more likely to have stress incontinence.

Answered: How can a catheter help with treating urinary incontinence?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:00:37 +0000

Some people use a catheter to make sure their bladder is emptied. It's a thin plastic tube that you put in your urethra. A doctor or nurse can teach you how to put it in yourself.

Answered: How do I know if something I eat or drink causes overactive bladder?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 11:00:02 +0000

If you feel that something in your diet is hampering your attempts to manage your urge incontinence, but you don't know what it is, try keeping a bladder diary. This is a daily record of what and when you eat and drink, and your urination patterns. You can also try an elimination diet. Remove one item -- tomatoes, for example -- from your meals for a week. If your symptoms get better, note that. Gradually add back small amounts of that food and see if your symptoms come back. You may be able to have some of the food without the irritating side effects.

Answered: Can you get overactive bladder symptoms from other conditions?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:59:25 +0000

The main symptoms of OAB can also occur in other conditions:

But there are other symptoms that don’t overlap. Blood in your urine isn’t related to OAB. Nocturia -- when you wake up more than twice a night to pee -- isn’t a symptom of bladder cancer.

Urinary tract infection
Enlarged prostate
Bladder cancer

Answered: How can I get enough water but not so much that I have to pee all the time?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:57:43 +0000

Try these tips: Spread out fluid intake throughout the day, sipping water between meals.
Unless exercising, don't carry a large water bottle with you.
Fill your cup or glass half-way or use a smaller cup.
Sip, don't gulp.
If you're drinking enough water, your urine should be light yellow or almost colorless.
Remember that you also get fluids in other foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and soups.

Answered: What foods should you cut back on to reduce urge incontinence symptoms?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:57:07 +0000

In addition to cutting down or eliminating alcohol and caffeine drinks, limiting other foods or beverages may help OAB. Try cutting back on:

Though urge incontinence is uncomfortable, it's also very treatable. Changes in your lifestyle and habits can play a part in treating it.

Acidic foods and beverages, such as tomatoes, pineapple, and citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes
Salty foods, which can make you thirstier and hence, lead to drinking more liquids
Spicy foods, such as chilies, which can irritate the bladder
Carbonated beverages, such as sodas or seltzers

Answered: Do I need special equipment to do Kegels?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:56:17 +0000

Not for Kegels alone. Doctors may suggest that women use a weighted cone. You'll insert it into your vagina and do your Kegels with it there. You'll slowly increase the weight. Some doctors pair Kegels with biofeedback, a monitoring system that helps you with bodily functions like urine control. Or the doctor might add electrical stimulation for muscles in the area.

Answered: How do Kegel exercises work?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:55:37 +0000

They strengthen the muscles that help control the urethra. When these muscles are weak, you can't control the flow as well.

Answered: Who can benefit from Kegel exercises?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:54:57 +0000

Anyone, at any age, who suffers urinary incontinence or leaks urine. While the exercise mainly helps those with stress urinary incontinence, it can also work if you have urge incontinence from overactive bladder. This causes a sudden urge to pee. You might not always make it to the bathroom. Men can do Kegel exercises to control urinary incontinence that can happen after prostate surgery.

Answered: What lifestyle changes can you do to reduce urge incontinence symptoms?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:54:00 +0000

Tension, diet, and being overweight can all contribute to urinary incontinence. The good news is that you can do something about all three:

Eat more vegetables and fiber. Fiber helps you avoid constipation, which may help reduce pressure on your bladder.
Reduce tension. Tense situations can make you to feel as if you need to pee. Deep breathing exercises are one of the tools that can ease tension.
Exercise. If you're overweight, losing weight will keep extra pounds from adding to the pressure on your bladder. Exercise may aggravate stress incontinence, though.
When you need to go, then go. Holding back too much can create other problems. For example, teachers and nurses may have bladder problems because they wait too long between bathroom breaks.
Use good posture when you urinate. Sit back on the toilet. Don’t lean forward, since this may put unwanted stress on the urethra and bladder.

Answered: How can shy bladder be treated?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:53:19 +0000

The most common treatment is a form of cognitive behavior therapy known as graduated exposure. You’ll be slowly re-introduced to the fearful situation. That helps lower your brain’s anxiety response.

Other options include hypnotherapy and self-catheterization, after a urologist or other medical professional teaches you what to do.

Trying more than one method boosts your odds of getting better.

Answered: How can urge incontinence affect you?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:52:38 +0000

By its very nature, urge incontinence, sometimes referred to as overactive bladder (OAB), can make you feel out of control. You may not be able to make it to the bathroom without peeing when you get an intense urge to go. And you may get this urge just from hearing water running. The result can be discomfort, embarrassment, and anxiety.

Answered: What do you need to know about living with incontinence?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:50:58 +0000

With a little effort, you can overcome the challenges of a leaky bladder. It can be as easy as few simple changes in your daily routine.

First, you’ll want to know what’s going on. You might leak pee when you laugh, cough, or sneeze. Doctors call that “stress incontinence.” Or you could feel an unexpected, sudden urge to go. That’s called “urge incontinence.” Though it happens mostly to women, it can happen to anyone at any age.

Answered: Can urinary catheters cause bladder spasms?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:33:22 +0000

Yes. They can happen if your bladder tries to push out the catheter. Medicine can help.

Answered: What kinds of problems can central venous catheters cause?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:32:44 +0000

Here are problems that can happen when the catheter is attached to your body:

Once you have it, the catheter can leak, get twisted, or come loose. You might get a blood clot or an infection, too.

The catheter might injure the vein it goes into.
Blood might leak out and cause a bruise or other problems. In most cases, the bleeding stops on its own.
The catheter might cut your lung, which would make it collapse. If that happens, your medical team can reinflate your lung.
Your heart might go off its normal rhythm. If so, it usually returns to normal by itself.

Answered: How is cystitis caused by bacteria treated?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:32:01 +0000

To treat cystitis caused by bacteria, your doctor will likely give you antibiotics. You usually start to feel better in a day or so, but be sure take all the medicine as directed. How long you need to take them depends on your overall health, how often you get infections, and the type of bacteria.

If you’re a women past menopause, your doctor may also suggest a vaginal cream that has estrogen in it.

Answered: How can my diet help my OAB?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:28:24 +0000

Ask your doctor if you should limit how much you drink at certain times of the day. He might also tell you to avoid coffee, tea, alcohol, sodas, and juices. Ditto for fruits like oranges and grapefruit, and spicy foods. All of them can make your OAB symptoms worse.

Answered: Does smoking affect my OAB?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:27:43 +0000

Yes. Cigarette smoke irritates your bladder. It can also cause a hacking cough, which could trigger leaks.

Answered: What is sacral nerve stimulation?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:26:54 +0000

The doctor uses electricity to stimulate the nerves that control your bladder. They’ll place a small device under the skin in your butt. It sends mild electric charges through a wire to a nerve in your lower back. This helps build bladder control. This procedure is commonly referred to as a bladder pacemaker.

Answered: How can losing weight help my OAB?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:26:01 +0000

Exercise and weight loss can improve urinary incontinence and OAB symptoms. It’ll ease the stress on your bladder and lead to fewer accidents.

Answered: How can you train your bladder to help your OAB?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:25:14 +0000

Hold your pee when you feel like you need to go. It’s easier if you do it while sitting down. Sit still, and squeeze your pelvic floor muscles several times in a row. When the urge to pee passes, walk slowly to the bathroom. Be patient. It may take up to 8 weeks to see results.

Answered: How can scheduling my bathroom trips help my OAB?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:24:23 +0000

Aim for every 2 to 4 hours. This way, you train yourself to pee at the same times every day.

Answered: What is percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:23:38 +0000

The doctor places a needle on nerves near your ankle that affect bladder control. You’ll have one session a week for 12 weeks, then maintenance treatments as needed. This procedure is done in the office.

Answered: What is augmnentation cystoplasty?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:22:17 +0000

In rare cases, augmentation cystoplasty, where intestine is used to make the bladder bigger or urinary diversion, is an alternate route for bladder drainage for severe, complicated OAB cases.

Answered: What is double voiding?

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:21:46 +0000

This means you pee, wait a few minutes, and then go again. It’ll help make sure your bladder’s empty. That way, you can avoid a quick trip back to the bathroom.