Urinary incontinence is a treatable condition that involves the involuntary loss of urine. It is not an inevitable side effect of aging. With proper care, it can be treated and, in most cases, cured. Sentara offers a comprehensive therapy program to help. Learn about urinary incontinence in women and urinary incontinence in men from Sentara Urology Services.
Symptoms of Incontinence
Urine leakage during exercise, or while coughing, laughing, bending or sneezing
Feeling the need to urinate as often as 6-8 times a day
Avoiding social activities for fear of urine leakage
Incontinence Risk Factors
Smoking
High-impact physical activity
Pregnancy
Diabetes
Menopause
Pelvic muscle weakness
Immobility from trauma, disease or surgery
Diminished cognitive skills
Side effects of prescriptions or over-the-counter medications
Conditions That Benefit From Treatment
Stress incontinence, causing urine leakage due to weakness of sphincter or pelvic floor muscles caused by injury, childbirth, prostate surgery or other conditions
Urge incontinence, causing the desire to urinate even when the bladder contains only a small amount of urine
Overflow incontinence, caused by blockage such as an enlarged prostate or growth, resulting in involuntary dribbling of urine, frequent urges and frequent urination
Related conditions such as urinary urges and frequency without leakage; pelvic pain caused by full bladder; fecal incontinence; vulvar area pain; and enuresis, or nighttime bed wetting
Continence And Pelvic Floor Program Treatment Methods
A comprehensive evaluation of urinary habits and pelvic floor dysfunction
Kegel exercises for pelvic floor strengthening and other muscle control exercises
Biofeedback to track performance of pelvic floor exercises and assure improved control
Electrical stimulation to reduce bladder irritation and strengthen pelvic floor muscles
Bladder retraining to increase length of time between urination
Behavioral modification to control urges
Education on bladder health and dietary influences
Please note that a physician referral is required for patients to receive therapy services.
Download a brochure of our Continence and Pelvic Floor Services
Continence and Pelvic Floor services are available at the following Sentara Therapy Center locations:
Sentara Therapy Center - Hilltop - Virginia Beach
Sentara Obici Hospital - Suffolk
Sentara Princess Anne - Virginia Beach
Sentara.com