Urinary Incontinence Best Managed Non-Surgically First

First Posted: Sep 16, 2014 03:54 PM EDT
Close

Though urinary incontinence remains a common issue, particularly among older men and women, tackling the problem can be difficult. Statistics show that sometimes, getting it under control may require surgery. However, the latest guidelines drafted by the American College of Physicians (ACP), show that different kinds of urinary incontinence may best be treated non-surgically first, potentially with routine exercises to help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles for bladder and weight loss.

"Physicians should utilize non-drug treatments as much as possible for urinary incontinence," said Dr. David Fleming, president of the ACP, in a news release. "Although various drugs can improve UI and provide complete continence, adverse effects often lead many patients to stop taking their medication."

Women with urinary incontinence will often feel like they have to pee all the time or may have urinary leaks for no reason. To address this health issue, doctors will typically recommend bladder training to increase the amount of time between bathroom sessions in order to build up control over the bladder. Furthermore, physicians added that a combination of both forms of nonsurgical treatments can help women suffering from stress and urgency deal with the issue.

For obese women in particular, suffering from either or both forms of urinary incontinence can prevent weight loss. Dealing with the issue with pelvic muscle exercises and medications can help to further ease the health problem that's estimated to affect roughly 44 to 57 percent of women between the ages of 40 to 60. In women aged 75 and older, the rate is about 75 percent.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the Annals of Internal Medicine.

See Now: NASA's Juno Spacecraft's Rendezvous With Jupiter's Mammoth Cyclone

©2017 ScienceWorldReport.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The window to the world of science news.

Join the Conversation

Real Time Analytics