Urgency incontinence, a condition marked by the sudden and intense need to urinate followed by involuntary leakage, can significantly disrupt daily life. This blog post is dedicated to individuals navigating this challenging condition, aiming to shed light on non-surgical treatment options that promise hope and improved quality of life.
Understanding Urgency Incontinence
Before we explore treatments, it’s vital to understand what urgency incontinence is. This condition is a subset of urinary incontinence, specifically characterised by an overactive bladder which leads to a sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate. Various factors, including neurological conditions, urinary tract infections, or bladder abnormalities, can contribute to its development.
Lifestyle Modifications
Fluid Management
Adjusting the amount and types of fluids consumed can help manage symptoms. Reducing intake of irritants like caffeine and alcohol, which can exacerbate symptoms, is a good starting point. Similarly, evenly distributing fluid intake throughout the day can alleviate sudden urges.
Bladder Training
Bladder training involves gradually increasing the intervals between bathroom visits. The goal is to extend the time between urination, helping the bladder to hold more urine over time. This technique requires patience and consistency but can significantly alleviate urgency symptoms.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles through Kegel exercises can provide better control over the bladder. Regularly performing these exercises enhances the ability to hold urine and can prevent leakage.
Behavioural Interventions
Scheduling Toilet Trips
Going to the bathroom at fixed times throughout the day can help train the bladder and reduce the frequency of sudden urges. This proactive approach can minimise the risk of accidents.
Double Voiding
This technique involves urinating, waiting for a few minutes, and then trying to go again. Double voiding can help fully empty the bladder and prevent immediate urges after leaving the restroom.
Medical Treatments
Medications
Antimuscarinics and Beta-3 agonists are commonly prescribed to relax the bladder and increase storage capacity, reducing the frequency of incontinence episodes. It’s important to discuss potential side effects with your healthcare provider.
Nerve Stimulation
- Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS): A nonsurgical treatment that involves stimulating the tibial nerve to influence nerve pathways responsible for bladder control.
- Sacral Neuromodulation: A device is implanted to send regular pulses to the sacral nerves, involved in bladder control and pelvic floor strength.
Emsella: Revolutionizing Non-Surgical Treatment for Urgency Incontinence
Among the innovative non-surgical treatment options for urgency incontinence, Emsella stands out as a breakthrough technology designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and improve bladder control. Emsella utilizes high-intensity focused electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology to induce thousands of supramaximal pelvic floor muscle contractions during a single treatment session.
How Emsella Works:
During an Emsella session, the patient sits fully clothed on a specialized chair that emits electromagnetic waves to stimulate the pelvic floor muscles. These contractions mimic the effects of traditional pelvic floor exercises but with significantly greater intensity and efficiency. As a result, Emsella can effectively strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and improve bladder control, leading to a reduction in urgency incontinence episodes and associated symptoms.
Intravesical Instillation
For those whose symptoms aren’t managed with first-line treatments, intravesical instillation of medication directly into the bladder can be an option. This treatment targets the bladder lining to reduce irritation and sensitivity.
Natural Remedies and Supplements
Certain supplements, such as Magnesium and Vitamin D, have shown potential in managing urgency incontinence symptoms. Herbs like Gosha-jinki-gan (a traditional Japanese herbal medicine) and Pumpkin seed extract may also offer symptom relief. It’s crucial, however, to approach these remedies under the guidance of a healthcare professional to avoid adverse interactions with other treatments.
The Importance of Support
Living with urgency incontinence can be isolating, but it’s important to remember that support is available. Joining a support group, either in-person or online, can offer valuable advice, coping strategies, and encouragement from those who understand what you’re going through.
Conclusion
While urgency incontinence poses daily challenges, a range of non-surgical treatment options can offer relief and improve your quality of life. By working closely with healthcare professionals and exploring a combination of lifestyle adjustments, behavioural techniques, medical treatments, and natural remedies, you can find a management plan that suits your individual needs.
Remember, you are not alone in this. With the right knowledge and support, you can take control of your symptoms and lead a fulfilling life.