Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does the urinary system work?

The urinary system comprises two kidneys, two ureters, a bladder and a urethra.

The kidneys filter out the toxins from the blood stream and regulate the water levels. They then produce urine which is pushed into the ureters.

The ureters are muscular tubes that push the urine into the bladder.

The bladder is essentially a muscle, whose function is to store and empty the urine.
When it is time to empty your bladder, the urine is passed through a tube called the urethra.

The urethral sphincter is normally contracting throughout the day, to keep the urine from coming out. The bladder and urethral sphincter communicate, using the nerves, to coordinate the storage and passage of urine.

What are some frequent causes of bladder control problems?

The most common causes are:

Relaxation or injuries of the pelvic ligaments, often seen in women who've had several children.
Reduced muscle control that can occur with menopause.
Infections or inflammation of the bladder or the urethra.
Nervous system disorders.
Irritation to the bladder caused by alcohol, caffeine or medications.

Are there things I can do myself?

There are some simple steps that you can start doing today to regain bladder control.

First, try to cut out any food or drink items that are known to be bladder irritants. These include: coffee, tea, citrus juice, sodas, and alcohol. Tobacco is also known to trigger bladder contractions.

Secondly, is weight loss. Excess weight is known to cause downward pressure on the bladder, making it difficult for the urethra to hold back the urine.

Lastly, start doing the Kegel exercises. These have been shown to be effective, and can be done throughout the day.

How many people are affected?

It is important to remember, you are not alone. Over 33 million Americans, or one out or 11 people, have some form of incontinence.

What causes incontinence?

Incontinence can be caused by a combination of causes, including weak or broken ligaments and muscles, or hyperactive or injured nerves. Usually, there is a combination of factors that cause incontinence.

The Better Bladder Method focuses on each possible cause, to provide superior improvement in your bladder control.

Factors that may lead to temporary or permanent incontinence include:

Urinary tract infections
Bladder infections
Effects of medicine
Constipation
Surgery side-effects
Stroke or multiple sclerosis
Enlarged prostate
Nerve damage, from gynecologic or urologic surgery, or from delivery of a child
Obesity
Structural abnormalities of the urinary tract

How do I know if I'm at risk?

In addition to the causes listed above, there are some associated risk factors that can play a role in incontinence:

Age-related bladder capacity can decrease or physical frailty
Obesity
Smoking tobacco
Injury to bladder or urethra
Bladder infection or prostatitis

It almost seems like I have diaper rash...why?

Just like a baby can develop diaper rash, adults with incontinence can also develop redness, rashes or even an infection caused by bacteria from the moisture.

In addition, the use of pads can also irritate the skin. This is another reason why the Better Bladder Method can help. By regaining your bladder control, the rashes will resolve.

What can I do to improve my incontinence?

Some simple steps that you can start today are:

Avoid caffeine and other diuretics
Avoid tobacco - nicotine irritates the bladder
Avoid anti-depressants
Eat fruit, veggies and grains - all which will prevent constipation
Retrain the bladder by only urinating once every three to six hours
Strengthen your pelvic muscles by practicing "double voiding" - which means when urinating, stop in the middle for a few moments, then continue.
Kegel exercises

Is there a surgical or medical cure?

Incontinence itself is not a disease but a symptom of other diseases and disorders. As those diseases are cured, incontinence could disappear as well. There are drugs and even surgeries that can be performed to help with this. In women, collagen injections can be given, which will thicken the area around the urethra.

What treatment options are available?

The choice of treatment depends on the type of incontinence a woman has and the severity of the urine loss.

Urge incontinence is caused by involuntary contractions of the bladder and therefore is commonly treated with medications, biofeedback or electrical stimulation to the nerves that control the bladder.

Stress incontinence is due to stretching and loosening of the pelvic muscles resulting in a loss of bladder support, therefore the goal of treatment is to restore pelvic support.

Stress incontinence can be treated with pelvic muscle exercises such as Kegel exercises, vaginal weights or physical therapy.

The Better Bladder Method uses a combination of non-invasive methods, which when combined, provide superior results that match surgery, without the risks.

What kinds of surgical options are available?

Surgery can cure most women with stress incontinence. The type of surgery used for treatment will depend on the severity of the stress incontinence.

Surgical options now available range from minimal invasive procedures such as the tension-free vaginal tape sling to the more invasive Burch procedure for severe incontinence.

If you have been offered either of these options, make an appointment with us to see if you are a candidate for a cure, without the risks of surgery or anesthesia.

Tension-free vaginal tape sling

Tension-free vaginal tape is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat moderate incontinence. It employs a special gauze sling covered by a plastic coating, which is attached on each side of the bladder opening. This procedure is done as an outpatient and does not require the use of a bladder catheter.

The Burch procedure

The Burch procedure, also called a 'retropubic suspension', is used in severe stress incontinence to improve the position of the bladder and urethra by sewing the bladder neck and urethra directly to the surrounding pelvic bone or nearby structures. It requires a general or spinal anesthetic and a three-day hospital stay. Recovery can be prolonged.

What is Urinary Incontinence?

Leakage of urine is called urinary incontinence. Some women leak small amounts of urine while others may have more frequent or severe urinary leakage.

What are the symptoms of urinary incontinence?

Not all women with bladder control problems will have urinary incontinence. Some will have other symptoms such as:

Urgency: strong urge to urinate even if the bladder is not full
Frequency: urinating more often than usual (or you used to)
Nocturia: need to urinate while sleeping that awakens you
Dysuria: painful urination
Enuresis: bed-wetting

Do I Need a Bladder Specialist?

Anyone who has been told they need surgery or medicine without first trying safer, conservative options should seek a Bladder Specialist.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I Need a Bladder Specialist?

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