As hard as we try to age gracefully, there are certain aspects of aging that are not always pretty, and some that can be downright embarrassing. Having urinary incontinence falls into the embarrassment category.
Believe it or not, there are seven different types of incontinence. Once it has been determined which specific type of incontinence you are suffering from, medical treatment can be sought.
Finding a specialized doctor to perform urinary incontinence tests is an important first step in seeking treatment. Women have the option of seeing an obstetrician, a gynecologist or a urogynecologist to be evaluated, and urologists and family practitioners are available for anyone in need of treatment.
First, your doctor may ask about the symptoms and your medical history. In some cases, the doctor may suggest keeping a diary to keep track of fluid intake and how much you urinate. After conducting a physical examination and measuring the bladder for capacity, several tests can be performed to further diagnose the problem:
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In a Bladder Stress Test, the doctor asks the patient to cough and watches for loss of urine.
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- An ultrasound test measures sound waves to create an image of the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.
- For a Cystoscopy, the doctor inserts a thin tube with a camera attached to it inside the urethra to take a look inside the bladder and the urethra.
- Urodynamics are various techniques that measure pressure in the bladder and the flow of urine.
If you are suffering from urinary incontinence, it is best to seek medical treatment. The doctor will determine what type of urinary incontinence you have and how best to treat it. The sooner the problem is treated, the sooner you'll feel better.
