Incontinence Program
The Retreat’s Urinary Incontinence Program
If you suffer from incontinence, your physician may choose to refer you to The Retreat’s Urinary Incontinence Program. This behavioral therapy program is designed to help you learn how your body works and how to gain better bladder control.
In this program, you will work with a physical therapist who will help you define your specific urinary patterns. This allows you to determine when, how much and how often the problem occurs. The therapist also will teach you which foods and beverages may be affecting your bladder control. To help retrain pelvic muscles that have become weak, a personalized exercise program will be developed for you.
Generally, the Urinary Incontinence Program consists of six to 10 30-60-minute treatments over a four- to six-month period of time. All patients are expected to practice at home what they are taught during the program.
The Urinary Incontinence Program is covered by Medicare. Many private insurance carriers cover behavioral treatment as well. Prices vary by insurance.
If you need help with incontinence, talk to your doctor to find out if the Urinary Incontinence Program at The Retreat can help you. If you have additional questions about incontinence or would like more information about our program, please call 574-537-5000 or 877-WOMANS1.
Facts About Urinary Incontinence
Why is it so hard to talk about urinary incontinence? Perhaps you feel embarrassed because it is such a personal issue. Or, like many people, you may feel ashamed about your loss of bladder control. Once you discover that urinary incontinence is a medical problem, though, you will understand that it is not your fault. Millions of other people have the same problem. The good news is that help is available!
Nearly everyone with a bladder control problem can be helped. The first step is talking to your doctor about it. Because bladder control problems are so common, you can be sure that your doctor has heard many stories like yours.
What is urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the inability to control the passage of urine from the bladder. More than 13 million people in the United States—male and female, young and old—experience incontinence. It is often temporary and results from an underlying medical condition. There are two main types of urinary incontinence:
Stress Incontinence -occurs during activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercise
Urge Incontinence -occurs when a strong, sudden urge to urinate causes an instant bladder contraction and the immediate, involuntary leakage of urine
Does urinary incontinence occur more often in women?
Yes. Women experience incontinence twice as often as men. Pregnancy and childbirth, menopause and the structure of the female urinary tract account for this difference.
The basic cause of incontinence is a weakening of the muscles that support the pelvic organs. Both women and men also can become incontinent from strokes, multiple sclerosis and physical problems associated with aging. It’s important to realize, however, that incontinence is not inevitable with advancing age. It is treatable and often curable at all ages.
What usually causes urinary incontinence in women?
Incontinence in women usually occurs because of problems with muscles that help to hold or release urine. The body stores urine—water and wastes removed by the kidneys—in the bladder, a balloon-like organ that connects to the urethra, the tube through which urine leaves the body. During urination, muscles in the wall of the bladder contract, forcing urine out of the bladder and into the urethra. At the same time, other muscles (called "sphincter muscles") that surround the urethra relax, letting urine pass out of the body. Incontinence occurs if your bladder muscles suddenly contract or if the sphincter muscles suddenly relax.
How is incontinence diagnosed?
The first step is to see your doctor. He or she will ask you some questions about your symptoms and medical history. Some of the things he or she will need to know include your pattern of urination or if you have problems with leakage, straining or discomfort. It will be important to share information about your use of medications, any recent surgeries and illnesses. Your doctor will then physically examine you to check for signs of medical conditions that might interfere with urination. He/she may measure your bladder capacity and residual urine (urine remaining in the bladder after urination) for evidence of poorly functioning bladder muscles. Other tests may be recommended as well.
How is incontinence treated?
There are a variety of options for incontinence treatment. You may need either one or a combination of these options to achieve the best level of control. Some treatments for incontinence include:
- Kegel Exercises —These strengthen or retrain pelvic floor muscles and sphincter muscles.
- Biofeedback—Uses measuring devices to help you become aware of your body’s functioning. This can be used in combination with pelvic muscle exercises and electrical stimulation.
- Timed Voiding or Bladder Training —A technique used in combination with biofeedback that allows you to identify patterns and empty your bladder before you would otherwise leak.
- Electrical Stimulation —Brief doses of electrical stimulation that can strengthen muscles in the lower pelvis in much the same way as exercises.
- Medication—Some medications can help reduce leakage by inhibiting contractions of an overactive bladder or by relaxing muscles and allowing for more complete bladder emptying.
- Other Options — There are additional alternatives that your physician may discuss with you, such as appliances like pessaries and implants, surgery or other procedures.