Incontinence
About Incontinence
Urinary incontinence happens when urine leaks from the bladder unexpectedly. It may happen when you do physical activities (stress incontinence), or you may fell a very sudden, strong need to urinate (urgency incontinence). In some people, urinary incontinence is caused by an inability to fully empty the bladder (urinary retention).
Incontinence at Paradigm Urology is managed by Dr Tony Makris, a urologic surgeon with a special interest in female and male incontinence.
How is incontinence diagnosed?
It may happen when you do physical activities (stress incontinence), or you may fell a very sudden, strong need to urinate (urgency incontinence). In some people, urinary incontinence is caused by an inability to fully empty the bladder (urinary retention).
Incontinence at Paradigm Urology is managed by Dr Tony Makris, a urologic surgeon with a special interest in female and male incontinence.
Image description option goes here
Things to consider
Lifestyle and medical history
your doctor will ask you questions about how much you eat and drink, how often you urinate, how often you leak urine, and any other medical conditions you have. Keeping a bladder diary for a few days can help you answer these questions accurately.
Urinalysis
a sample of your urine may be analysed for signs of infection. In some cases, it may also be tested for chemical markers which could indicate other conditions.
Urodynamics studies
these tests assess the flow rate of urine, your bladder capacity, and the pressure of the bladder (detrusor) muscle. Dr Tony Makris holds a subspecialty in this area.
Treatments for incontinence
What to consider
The goal of treating urinary incontinence is to manage the impact that it has on your daily life. This may be done by controlling the symptoms themselves, or by addressing an underlying contributor. Plausible treatments may include:
Bladder/pelvic floor training
you may be given a specialised set of exercises to help strengthen the muscles in your bladder and/or pelvic floor. This can help improve stress incontinence. At Paradigm Urology we have a pelvic Physiotherapist , Miss Shani Clark working along side Mr . Makris
Absorbent garments
if other symptoms aren’t bothering you, incontinence can be managed using clothes or pads which absorb urine as it leaves the body, preventing it from smelling or staining your clothes.
Intermittent catheterisation
if incontinence is due to poor emptying, catheterisation can be used to fully drain the bladder and prevent leakage. Your urologist will teach you how to do this at home.