At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.
Mayo Clinic in Minnesota has been recognized as one of the top Urology hospitals in the nation for 2014-2015 by U.S. News & World Report.
Urinary incontinence — the loss of bladder control — is a common and often embarrassing problem. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that's so sudden and strong you don't get to a toilet in time.
If urinary incontinence affects your daily activities, don't hesitate to see your doctor. For most people, simple lifestyle changes or medical treatment can ease discomfort or stop urinary incontinence.
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Some people experience occasional, minor leaks of urine. Others wet their clothes frequently.
Types of urinary incontinence include:
You may feel uncomfortable discussing incontinence with your doctor. But if incontinence is frequent or is affecting your quality of life, it's important to seek medical advice because urinary incontinence may:
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Urinary incontinence isn't a disease, it's a symptom. It can be caused by everyday habits, underlying medical conditions or physical problems. A thorough evaluation by your doctor can help determine what's behind your incontinence.
Certain drinks, foods and medications can act as diuretics — stimulating your bladder and increasing your volume of urine. They include:
Urinary incontinence also may be caused by an easily treatable medical condition, such as:
Urinary incontinence can also be a persistent condition caused by underlying physical problems or changes, including:
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At Mayo Clinic, we take the time to listen, to find answers and to provide you the best care.
It's important to determine the type of urinary incontinence that you have. That information will guide treatment decisions.
Your doctor is likely to start with a thorough history and physical exam. You may then be asked to do a simple maneuver that can demonstrate incontinence: close your mouth, pinch your nose shut and exhale hard.
After that, your doctor will likely recommend:
If further information is needed, your doctor may recommend:
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Complications of chronic urinary incontinence include:
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Urinary incontinence isn't always preventable. However, to help decrease your risk:
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There are no alternative medicine therapies that have been proved to cure urinary incontinence. Initial pilot studies have shown that acupuncture can provide some short-term benefit, but more research is needed.
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Problems with urine leakage may require you to take extra care to prevent skin irritation:
If you have urge incontinence or nighttime incontinence, make the toilet more convenient:
If you have functional incontinence, you might:
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If you're embarrassed about a bladder control problem, you may try to cope on your own by wearing absorbent pads, carrying extra clothes or even avoiding going out.
But effective treatments are available for urinary incontinence. It's important to ask your doctor about treatment. You'll be on your way to regaining an active and confident life.
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Factors that increase your risk of developing urinary incontinence include:
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