Does your bladder control your life? Do you leak when you laugh, cough or sneeze? Loss of bladder control, known as urinary incontinence, is common but does not have to be normal part of life.

Urinary incontinence is a symptom, not a disease. It can be caused by everyday habits, underlying medical conditions or physical problems. For most people, lifestyle changes or medical treatment can ease discomfort or stop urinary incontinence.

The Continence & Bladder Health Services program provides comprehensive treatment for men, women and children with urinary incontinence. A team of specialists from Urology, Obstetrics & Gynecology and Rehabilitation Services work together to treat the conditions that may contribute to your incontinence.

Call Continence & Bladder Health Services at 715-838-6965 to schedule an appointment for an evaluation, and take control of your bladder.

URINARY INCONTINENCE CAUSES

There are several causes of urinary incontinence, including:

• Functional — A physical or mental impairment keeps you from making it to the toilet in time. For example, if you have severe arthritis, you may not be able to unbutton your pants quickly enough.
• Lack of estrogen — This can cause very slight leakage without even knowing it.
• Overflow — You experience frequent or constant dribbling of urine due to a bladder that doesn't empty completely.
• Physical stress — Urine leaks when you put pressure on your bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting something heavy.
• Prolapse — Your pelvic organs have dropped and put pressure on your bladder.
• Urge/overactive bladder — You have a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. You may need to urinate often, including throughout the night. Urge incontinence may be caused by a minor condition, such as an infection, or a more-severe condition, such as a neurological disorder or diabetes.

CONTINENCE MANAGEMENT

The team of experts helps develop an individualized treatment plan to help you manage your incontinence. Depending on your specific needs, your plan of care may include:

• Bladder retraining
• Bladder support devices
• Botox injections
• Constipation management
• Exercises and biofeedback to strengthen pelvic muscles and decrease urgency
• Fluid and dietary management
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Medication
• Nonsurgical nerve therapy (percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation)
• Prolapse surgery
• Specialized bladder testing
• Surgical nerve therapy (Interstim)
• Surgical repair