If you are one of the millions of men and women who suffer from bladder or bowel incontinence, rest assured you are not alone. According to recent estimates, more than 25 million adults in the United States have experienced difficulty with bladder or bowel control at sometime in their life. And in a separate study, nearly a quarter of women surveyed, reported having experienced symptoms of urinary incontinence. Although symptoms are more common in older adults, incontinence is not an inevitable part of aging. In fact, loss of control of bowel movements and/or the inability to control release of urine, can and does affect people of all ages.

Symptoms of urinary incontinence
Frequent and sudden urge to urinate, loss of urine during exercise or when lifting heavy objects, and trouble emptying the bladder completely, can all be symptoms of urinary incontinence. Fecal or stool incontinence, the partial or complete loss of control of bowel movements, can result from constipation or diarrhea, or a weakened sphincter muscle.

Causes
It’s important to remember that loss of bladder or bowel control is a symptom, not a disease. The most common cause of incontinence is weakened or damaged pelvic and sphincter muscles. For women, pregnancy and childbirth can contribute to loss of muscle tone in the pelvic floor, a condition that if not addressed, can worsen with age. Men with prostate problems may also experience urinary difficulties if the enlarged prostrate is blocking the urethra.

Strokes, and diseases that affect the central nervous system, such as Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis, can also interfere with normal elimination, as can complications associated with diabetes, certain medications, food and drink.

Spinal cord injuries, birth defects and accidents that cause permanent damage, will likely require surgical intervention. If you are experiencing any symptoms of incontinence, it is important you consult with your primary care provider. Before resorting to surgical repair or prescription medication, most care providers will encourage their patients to try a variety of less invasive techniques.

The following treatments have been proven to provide excellent results.
Kegel, named after the gynecologist who devised them, are exercises proven to be highly effective for both men and women. The series of repetitions in which you contract and then relax your pelvic muscles, will strengthen and improve muscle tone and greatly improve bladder control.

Biofeedback, a form of cognitive therapy, teaches you to become more aware and in control of your body’s messages. It has successfully been used to improve pelvic muscle strength and regain control over sphincter and bladder muscles.

Relaxation techniques, hypnosis and guided visualization, are frequently used to help reduce anxiety and address any mental and emotional aspects of incontinence. Although estimates vary, most doctors believe both men and women are likely to under report instances of incontinence, because they are embarrassed to admit they are having problems.

If you are hesitant to bring up the topic with your care provider, keep in mind incontinence is a common challenge experienced by people of all ages. Only by sharing your concern, can your doctor work with you to determine the cause, and more importantly, the solution to your discomfort.