In light of recent concerns over common surgical treatments for urinary incontinence in women, the American College of Physicians has published new recommendations for treating this common condition without surgery. These simple lifestyle changes can help many women avoid the stresses and risks of surgery in favor of a more natural approach to treating this common condition, leaving the surgery for those who cannot treat their urinary incontinence in other ways.
Urinary incontinence falls into two main categories. Stress incontinence, the first category, refers to incontinence problems that occur when the patient laughs, sneezes, coughs or puts another form of stress on the urinary system. Urgency urinary incontinence refers to the loss of urine for no clear reason immediately after feeling the sudden urge to urinate.
For stress incontinence, strengthening the pelvic floor muscles is one of the best defenses. Weight loss, which reduces stress on the urinary system, and exercise can also help. Systemic drug therapy may carry more risks than benefits, according to the report.
For urgency urinary incontinence ,the ACP report recommends bladder training. When bladder training does not work, medication may help the condition.
Some patients will experience both stress and urgency incontinence. Although Kegel exercises are often recommended, they are rarely effective. Weight loss for overweight women can also help.
Neuromodulation options such as posterior tibial nerve stimulation may also be effective.
Do these new recommendations mean surgery for urinary incontinence is no longer the best choice? The answer really depends on each individual case. Some women can benefit from safe surgical solutions to urinary incontinence, while others would be best served with lifestyle changes. The point of the article, however, is that lifestyle changes should be considered first to ensure that all potential treatments have been pursued before resorting to surgery.
Urinary incontinence is just one type of problem that a urologist can assist with. To learn more about this and other urologic conditions, visit Dr. Vorstman at http:/ /www.urologyweb.com/exclusive-medical-reports/
Dr. Vorstman also blogs at https://urologyweb.com/uro-health-blog/ and Contact him directly at bvorstmanmd@gmail.com