Urinary incontinence: How to Manage the Pain and Prevent Future Occurrences

Urinary incontinence, also referred to as Enuresis, is the loss of bladder control, resulting in unintentional leaking urine. Urine leakage in men may experience for several reasons, including age-related changes, prostate problems, and nerve damage.

Key statistics on urinary incontinence in men include the following:

Approximately one in three men over the age of 60 experience bladder control problems.
About half of the men over the age of 80 have some degree of urinary incontinence.
Prostate problems give rise to urinary stress, which commonly causes urinary incontinence in men.

What Are the Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence symptoms can vary vastly depending on the type and underlying cause. Some common urge incontinence symptoms in men include:

• Leakage of urine: Leakage of urine, also known as urinary incontinence, is a common condition that affects millions of people across the world, including the United States. The severity of leakage of urine can range from a small dribble to a large amount of urine, and it can occur for several reasons. Some common causes include an enlarged prostate, weak bladder muscles, nerve damage, and certain medications. In addition, leakage of urine is often a result of natural aging processes, which can cause changes in the bladder and urinary tract that make it more difficult to control the release of urine.
• Urgency: The feeling of needing to urinate urgently or at an inconvenient time is a common and often distressing symptom of urinary incontinence. This condition is characterized by the sudden and intense need to urinate, which can occur even when the bladder is not full. People with urinary incontinence often feel as though they cannot make it to the bathroom in time, which can lead to leakage and decreased quality of life.
  Urgency is a common problem, affecting millions of people in the United States, and it is especially prevalent among older adults and those with underlying medical conditions such as bladder prolapse, neurologic disorders, and prostate problems. The sudden onset of urgency can be quite disruptive to daily activities, causing embarrassment and discomfort, and leading to decreased self-esteem and confidence.
• Frequency: One of the common symptoms of urinary incontinence in men is an increased frequency of urination, also known as frequency. This means that men may feel the need to urinate more often than normal, and sometimes even multiple times in a single hour. This can be particularly problematic for those who experience Nocturia, which is the need to wake up multiple times during the night to urinate.
  Nocturia can lead to disrupted sleep and decreased energy levels during the day, which can in turn impact the overall quality of life. In addition, it can also be a sign of underlying medical problems, such as urinary tract infections, enlarged prostate, and bladder cancer, which is why it is important to seek proper medical evaluation.
• Hesitancy: The difficulty of starting to urinate, also known as hesitancy, is another common symptom of urinary incontinence that can be a source of discomfort and inconvenience for those who experience it. This condition is characterized by a slow or difficult start to urination, and can result in a weak or inconsistent stream of urine.
  Hesitancy is often caused by underlying medical conditions, such as an enlarged prostate, bladder stones, or nerve damage, and it can be accompanied by other symptoms of urinary incontinence, such as urgency, frequency, and leakage.
• Incontinence related to physical activity: Men may experience leakage of urine during physical activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects. This type of incontinence is known as Stress incontinence and it is a common symptom of urinary incontinence.

  Stress incontinence occurs when the pelvic floor muscles are not strong enough to support the bladder, and pressure on the bladder during physical activity leads to leakage.

• Incontinence related to overfull bladder: Overflow incontinence is a type of urinary incontinence characterized by leakage of urine due to an overfull bladder. This occurs when the bladder becomes too full, and is unable to empty completely, leading to constant dribbling of urine.

  Overflow incontinence is often caused by underlying medical conditions, such as bladder outlet obstruction, nerve damage, or weak bladder muscles, which can prevent the bladder from fully emptying. This can lead to the buildup of urine in the bladder, which eventually leads to leakage.

• Incontinence related to mobility: Functional incontinence is a type of urinary incontinence that affects men with mobility issues. This type of incontinence is characterized by the inability to reach the toilet in time due to physical limitations, such as arthritis, muscle weakness, or difficulty walking.

  Functional incontinence can be a source of frustration and embarrassment for those who experience it, and it can impact daily activities and quality of life. In some cases, it may lead to social isolation and decreased confidence, as individuals may avoid participating in social activities for fear of leakage.

• Urge Incontinence: Urge incontinence is characterized by a sudden, strong urge to urinate, followed by the involuntary loss of urine. This type of incontinence is often caused by an overactive bladder or nerve damage.
• Stress Incontinence: Stress incontinence is characterized by the loss of urine during physical activity, such as coughing, sneezing, or exercising. This type of incontinence is often caused by weakened pelvic muscles or bladder control muscles.
• Overflow Incontinence: Overflow incontinence is characterized by the constant dribbling of urine due to a bladder that does not fully empty. This type of incontinence is often caused by an enlarged prostate or nerve damage.
• Functional Incontinence: Functional incontinence is characterized by the inability to reach the toilet in time due to physical limitations, such as arthritis or a wheelchair.
• Mixed Incontinence: Mixed incontinence is characterized by the presence of both stress and urge incontinence.

What Causes Urinary Incontinence in Men?

• Prostate problems: An enlarged prostate can cause urinary incontinence by blocking urine flow. Prostate cancer can also cause urinary incontinence as a side effect of treatment or a symptom of advanced disease.
• Nerve damage: Damage to the bladder’s nerves can cause signs of a weak bladder. This can occur due to diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, or spinal cord injuries.
• Age-related changes: As men age, the muscles that control the bladder can weaken, leading to urinary incontinence.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as diuretics, sedatives, and antidepressants, can cause urinary incontinence as a side effect.
• Lifestyle factors: Obesity, smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption can vastly increase the risk of developing urinary incontinence.
• Surgery: Surgery for prostate cancer, bladder cancer, or other urinary tract conditions can cause urinary incontinence as a complication.

How to Diagnose Urinary Incontinence?

• Skin irritation and infection: Constant exposure to urine can cause skin irritation, especially in the genital area, and increase the risk of infection.
• Bladder and kidney infections: Incontinence can increase the risk of urinary tract infections, which can lead to bladder and kidney infections if left untreated.
• Psychological distress: Urinary incontinence can cause emotional pain and negatively impact a person’s quality of life, leading to depression and anxiety.
• Social isolation: Urinary incontinence can make it difficult for men to participate in activities they enjoy, leading to social isolation and a lack of self-esteem
• Sleep disturbances: Nocturia, and the need to wake up at night to urinate, can lead to sleep disturbances, which can affect overall health and well-being.
• Increased risk of falls: Urinary incontinence can increase the risk of falls in older adults, especially if they are rushing to the toilet or trying to hold urine.

What Are the Urinary Incontinence Treatment Options?

• Surgery: Bladder incontinence surgery is a viable treatment option for surgery for incontinence in the elderly, such as those with an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. Surgery can include procedures like urinary sling surgery.

• Medications: Medication for incontinence in the elderly can help to manage the symptoms of urinary incontinence, such as alpha-blockers, which relax the body’s muscles in the prostate and bladder, and anticholinergics, which help to calm an overactive bladder. These medications are effective depending on your condition, and the side effects, if any, for the same will vary depending on the reaction of your body.
• Physical therapy: Incontinence therapy can help to strengthen the muscles that control the bladder and improve bladder control such as physiotherapy for urinary incontinence. The various types of physical therapy are:
• Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises: Also known as Kegels, these exercises help strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and control urination.
• Bladder Training: involves gradually increasing the time between bathroom visits and retraining the bladder to hold more urine.
• Biofeedback: A type of therapy that uses sensors to measure muscle activity and provide feedback to help patients learn to control their pelvic floor muscles.
• Electrical Stimulation: involves the use of low-level electrical stimulation to improve muscle strength and function.

• Posture and Body Mechanics: teaching patients proper body mechanics and posture to reduce stress on the bladder and prevent incontinence.
• Neuromuscular Re-education: retraining the muscles and nerves involved in bladder control to improve function and prevent incontinence.
• Lifestyle changes: Making certain changes to your daily lifestyle can help manage urinary incontinence symptoms. This can include losing weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and avoiding caffeine and spicy foods which might cause irregularities in your digestive track, also your healthcare provider will definitely suggest you multiple lifestyle changes suited to your condition that will help you counter it.

• Urinating at regular intervals during the day, such as every 2-3 hours, to keep the bladder empty.
• Avoiding bladder irritants, such as caffeine and spicy foods.
• Planning to have easy access to toilets when out in public
• Using pads or adult diapers to manage incontinence.

How to Stop Urine Leakage?

• Maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese can also increase the risk of developing urinary incontinence, so maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise can help to reduce the risk.
• Quit smoking: Smoking can increase the risk of developing urinary incontinence, so quitting smoking can help to reduce the risk.
• Limit alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to urinary incontinence, so limiting alcohol consumption can help to reduce the risk.
• Perform pelvic floor exercises: Regularly performing pelvic floor exercises can help to strengthen the muscles that control the bladder and improve bladder control.
• Avoid bladder irritants: Bladder irritants, such as caffeine and spicy foods, can aggravate the symptoms of urinary incontinence, so avoiding these can help to reduce the risk of developing urinary incontinence.
• Regular visits to the doctor: Regular check-ups with a healthcare professional can help detect any underlying conditions or health issues that may contribute to developing urinary incontinence and act as a method of urinary incontinence prevention.

• Severe pain: Intense, unrelenting pain in the back, side, or lower abdomen that may radiate to the groyne or genital area may be a sign of renal colic. The pain may come in waves and can be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and fever..
• Blood in the urine: Blood in the urine may be a sign of kidney stones or another serious medical condition and requires prompt medical attention..
• Difficulty passing urine: Difficulty passing urine or a decreased urine output may be a sign of an obstructed urinary tract and requires medical attention..
• High fever: A high fever may indicate a kidney infection or another serious medical condition and requires prompt medical attention..
• Past history of kidney stones: Patients with a history of kidney stones are at increased risk of future stone formation and should seek prompt medical attention if they experience symptoms of renal colic..
• Worsening symptoms: Symptoms that persist or worsen over time may be a sign of a serious medical condition and require medical attention.

Frequently Asked Questions