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Incontinence in Men is a Common Problem

Tuesday, January 18th, 2011

Men are less apt than women to complain about health problems. They may be embarrassed to discuss health problems of a personal nature with their physician due to stereotypes that exist where a man must be strong and taciturn. Men who are reluctant to discuss incontinence with their doctor may suffer needlessly. Incontinence in men can often be treated very effectively.

Disease of the prostate is the most common reason that incontinence in men occurs. The prostate gland is a small, walnut-sized organ located at the base of the bladder. As men age, the prostate often enlarges in size, a condition known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). The enlarging prostate can place pressure on the urethra, leading to symptoms of incontinence in men. Men may experience a weak urinary stream, dribbling, and/or inability to completely empty their bladder as a result of BPH. They may also suffer from urinary tract infections related to urinary stasis, which can worsen existing urinary incontinence in men.

Prostate cancer, or more often the procedures used to treat prostate cancer, may also result in incontinence in men. Radiation, removal of the prostate and the disease itself may all cause incontinence in men. Incontinence used to be an inevitability for men suffering from prostate cancer, but treatments nowadays can often spare urinary function.

Medications are often used to treat incontinence in men. Medications are used to relax the bladder, reduce or prevent enlargement of the prostate and reduce symptoms of urgency. These medications are often helpful, particularly when combined with self-help remedies, such as monitoring fluid intake, avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and alcohol and bladder retraining.

Incontinence in men is often a result of problems with the prostate and can often be treated effectively. For this reason, men who suffer from incontinence should consult their physicians so that the problem can be treated in its early stages.

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Bladder Weakness in Men Affects Millions

Monday, October 4th, 2010

Bladder weakness affects millions of men around the world. Many people assume that bladder weakness in men is a normal consequence of aging; however, bladder weakness is never normal and should not be thought of as an aging issue.

Often the cause of bladder weakness in men is a problem of the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a small walnut-sized organ that contributes fluid to sperm. As men age the prostate often grows, putting pressure on the urethra. The prostate surrounds the urethra at the neck of the bladder, so it stands to reason that any swelling in this area will affect the bladder and urination. Swelling of the prostate does not always signify cancer; in fact, swelling of the prostate is usually benign and is referred to as benign prostatic hypertrophy. This condition commonly affects men beginning in the 40s, although symptoms of bladder weakness in men may not show up until decades later.

Symptoms of bladder weakness in men may include occasional dribbling of urine, difficulty in urinating, difficulty in starting their stream, or an inability to fully empty their bladder. These symptoms may begin gradually and worsen over time. Men who experience bladder weakness should notify their physician immediately, when problems begin, rather than waiting until symptoms become severe.

Treatment for bladder weakness in men may include limiting fluid intake, avoiding bladder irritants such as caffeine and alcohol, bladder training, weight loss and smoking cessation. All of these self-help remedies can help ease the symptoms of bladder weakness in men and, in some cases, will cure the problem.

When self-help remedies fail, medications may be needed. Medications may help to shrink the prostate or prevent further swelling, or may be used to inhibit the bladder spasms that may cause urinary leakage. These medications may be helpful for some, but also carry some risk of side effects, such as dry mouth, drowsiness and constipation.

Surgery is usually done as a last resort when other measures have failed. Surgical procedures should be carefully researched and possible complications discussed. Men who suffer from bladder weakness should be aware of all of their options in regards to treatment and should make their decision based on all of the available facts. Although bladder weakness in men is a common problem, it should be not be assumed to be “normal”.

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Infection as a Cause of Bladder Incontinence

Friday, August 27th, 2010

Bladder incontinence is a common condition affecting millions of people around the world. Causes of bladder incontinence are numerous. Infection in some part of the urinary tract may cause incontinence and is one cause that your physician can easily detect and treat.

Urinary tract infections may affect the kidneys (pyelonephritis), the bladder (cystitis) or the urethra (urethritis). Men may also suffer from prostatitis, or infection of the prostate gland. Bladder incontinence is sometimes the result of untreated infections.

Not all people who have urinary tract infections are symptomatic. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
-Frequency (frequent need to urinate)
-Dysuria (painful urination)
-Hematuria (blood in the urine, which may be visible or only -detectable under a microscope)
-Rectal fullness (men)
-Suprapubic pain (pain just above the pubic bone)
-Fatigue
-Weakness
-Fever (usually present when infection reaches the kidneys)
-Flank pain or backache (usually only with pyelonephritis)
-Nausea and vomiting (pyelonephritis)
-Milky, foul-smelling urine

In children, symptoms may not be obvious. Children are more likely to have a fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and failure to thrive (in infants).

Urine is normally sterile. However, bacteria sometimes cling to and multiply at the entrance to the urinary tract, the urethra. There are several bacteria that live in the bowel and anus. These bacteria can travel from the urethra upwards to other areas of the urinary tract.

Usually, the act of urination causes bacteria to be washed away, but this mechanism sometimes fails. Some people are more prone to urinary tract infection due to underlying health conditions:
-Victims of spinal cord injury (incomplete bladder emptying)
-Sexually active women (urinating after intercourse may decrease r-isk of infection)
-People with kidney stones
-People with suppressed immune function
-Women who use a diaphragm as a method of birth control
-Men with enlarged prostate glands

Urinary tract infection may cause temporary bladder incontinence when symptoms, such as urgency, are intense. Fortunately, bladder infection can be easily detected and treated with antibiotics. Any new-onset bladder incontinence should be evaluated by a physician. When the cause of bladder incontinence is urinary tract infection, the problem can be easily treated.

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Frequent Causes of Urge Incontinence in Men

Monday, July 5th, 2010

Urge incontinence in men can be a frustrating problem. Symptoms may include a sudden, urgent need to urinate, followed by incontinence if a toilet is not readily available. Many men suffer from urge incontinence to varying degrees without understanding that, in many cases, it can be helped or even cured with proper treatment. What causes urge incontinence in men? There can be many contributing factors, which include the following:

Diabetes – Diabetes can damage the nerves that affect control of bladder function.

Stroke, Parkinson’s disease and MS (multiple sclerosis) – All of these conditions can lead to problems with emptying the bladder that cause the bladder to become overly full. This overfilling can, in turn, lead to urgency and incontinence.

Prostate Disease – The prostate gland, which surrounds the urethra at the bladder neck, is a frequent cause of urge incontinence in men. Enlargement of this gland, cancer of the prostate or treatment to cure cancer of the prostate may all cause the symptoms of urge incontinence in men.

Overactive Bladder – In overactive bladder, the urge to urinate may occur frequently and may be so strong that the urge cannot be ignored. Overactive bladder symptoms may be due to nerve damage, as discussed above, or may be caused by an unknown factor.

Infection – A bladder or kidney infection can cause symptoms of urge incontinence in men. This condition is generally very treatable with appropriate antibiotics, but may be overlooked as a simple cause of the problem.

Obesity – Being overweight can put increased pressure on the bladder, and may worsen symptoms of urge incontinence in men.

Constipation – Being constipated can also cause urge incontinence. Stool that impacts in the lower intestine may place extra pressure on the bladder and urethra, causing the sensation of urgency.

Urge incontinence in men should always be addressed by a physician. Although it may be embarrassing to admit this problem to your doctor, discussing the issue may lead to a cure. However, if the problem cannot be entirely resolved, your doctor may be able to improve symptoms so that they are less bothersome.

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Keeping Incontinence in Check

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

Making frequent trips to the lavatory to avoid and episode of incontinence can be quite frustrating, and it can get to be pretty tiring as well, especially if the trips are during the night. One of the problems with frequent urination is that it may discourage a person from drinking enough fluid, which can lead to dehydration. Of course staying properly hydrated is important, but so is staying dry, and especially in an elderly person whose mobility is limited, the need for frequent urination can end up resulting in light incontinence.

To help frequent urination from ending devolving into incontinence, there are some things that you can do to reduce the frequency of symptoms. Caffeine and alcohol are among the many foods that irritate the bladder, leading to incontinence. Both of these drinks are also diuretics, which cause the body to slough off liquids. If you are taking any medications for high blood pressure, they are normally diuretics also, which can exacerbate the frequent urination symptoms, again leading to incontinence.

There are also a number of diseases that can manifest themselves as frequent urination leading to incontinence, so this is another reason that it is important to discuss any incontinence problem with your doctor. Diabetes and kidney disease are two common causes, and even more common is a urinary tract infection. In men frequent urination is frequently the harbinger of an enlarged prostate gland, which generally leads way to light adult incontinence.

If there is any pain or discomfort connected with your frequent trips to the bathroom, then you should seek medical advice immediately. However, for the elderly, especially as mobility becomes an issue, frequent urination can be just the start a pattern of incontinence. If you are not suffering from an infection or disease, then there are several things that you can do to address the problem of incontinence. First of all you can limit your liquid intake, while ensuring that you are still consuming enough fluids to stay healthy. Next, you can try increasing the holding capacity of your bladder by gradually extending the time in between trips to the bathroom. Try stretching the time by about fifteen minutes and increase the duration every week.

If you do have to take a medication that works as a diuretic, discuss with your doctor the option of taking it during the early portion of the day. That way you will not be awakened every hour throughout the night needing to go to the bathroom, or risk an incontinence episode like bedwetting. By taking your medication early in the day, you may be able to sleep peacefully throughout the night without any worries of incontinence.

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Incontinence Underwear for Men Help when Recovering from Prostate Surgery

Saturday, May 15th, 2010

Urinary incontinence in men can be caused by a number of different factors, and the likelihood of incontinence increases as a man ages. One of the things that happens as a man ages is that his prostate begins to enlarge, and it may require that he use incontinence underwear for men for a time to help manage his situation. As the prostate becomes enlarged it interferes with the proper functioning of the urinary tract, and that is how the prostate contributes to men’s incontinence.

The prostate is about the size and shape of a walnut, and it is sandwiched in between the penis and the bladder with the urethra running right through it. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. During a man’s reproductive process the prostate releases a fluid that is nourishing and protective to sperm. Around the age of 50 most men’s prostate glands begin to enlarge causing a condition known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), which manifests itself as difficulty urinating.

To treat an enlarged prostate medication or surgery are the normal course of treatment. Alpha-blockers, which relax the muscles around the urethra, help to allow the urine to pass freely through the urethra. Another medication, which is sometimes used to treat this condition, is 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, which reduce DHT, a type of testosterone, causing the prostate to shrink relieving pressure on the urethra. If medication does not solve the problem, then some men may need surgery to improve their symptoms, however one of the risks of surgery is that a man may be left dealing with urinary incontinence.

Another problem that can occur with the prostate is cancer. Prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer found in men, next to skin cancer, and it is highly treatable using chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Surgery for prostate cancer is called a prostatectomy, which removes the entire prostate with the hopes of removing all of the cancer cells with it. When radiation is warranted, it kills all of the cancer cells in the prostate and minimizes damage to surrounding healthy cells. Other solutions that attempt to kill cancer cells and minimize damage to healthy cells are radioactive seed implants, chemotherapy, cryotherapy, hormone therapy and various clinical trials.

Unfortunately all of these treatments have the risk of urinary incontinence for at least several months after the treatment has ended. However, in the grand scheme of things, if you have cancer, it is much better to be cancer free and deal with the inconvenience of incontinence for a time than the alternative. There are many different incontinence products that are available to help manage your incontinence symptoms as you find your way back to good health including incontinence underwear for men and protective mattress covers. At DryForLife we are happy to discreetly answer any questions that you may have regarding the best products to help manage your situation.

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Nocturia Treatment with an Enlarged Prostate

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

Frequent night urination, or nocturia, can be caused by many different things; so nocturia treatment is varied depending on the underlying cause. One of the most common causes of nocturia occurs in older men, and it is an enlarged prostate. The prostate gland is normally about the size of a walnut, and it is situated right beside the urethra. When this gland grows larger it exerts pressure on the urethra causing any number of problems, not the least of which is nocturia. Other problems that an enlarged prostate can cause are urinary incontinence and repeated infections in the urinary tract. Just to confuse things, it is possible to have an enlarged prostate and not have any symptoms, or to have a regular sized prostate and suffer from nocturia.

There are a couple of key factors that determine how much the prostate size affects the number of times that you have to go to the bathroom. The prostate consists of two different types of cells, spongy and rigid. The thought is that nocturia is more affected by the proportion of rigid cells in the prostate rather than simply its size. Unfortunately these rigid cells do not respond as well to drugs as they are more resilient than their spongy counterparts. Because of this a patient is frequently faced with surgery, often minimally invasive, for treatment of the problem.

The other piece of the puzzle has to do with a man’s bladder elasticity and capacity. So men with smaller more rigid bladders are more likely to suffer from nocturia than men with larger more resilient bladders. Another variable that is frequently thrown into the mix is the prostate specific antigen or PSA, which is the measure of a prostate protein. This protein is measured in a blood test, and it is used as a cancer screening tool. An elevated PSA may indicate that cancer is present, but the test is not 100% conclusive.

If you are just beginning to experience problems with nocturia, you may want to keep track of your fluid intake. Try to cut back on any liquid consumption within two hours of bedtime, and stay away from alcohol and caffeine later in the day as they have a diuretic effect causing the body to shed even more fluid. If you are taking a diuretic medication try to schedule it early in the day so that its effects will be completed during waking hours.

If you are suffering from nocturia and suspect that an enlarged prostate may be at the root of the problem, have your doctor assess the situation and offer you nocturia treatment solutions. If you are worried about any type of urine leakage during the night there are many different types of incontinence products that can help alleviate your worries. DryForLife can offer you helpful advice on which products might work for your situation, and they can be ordered by phone or online and delivered directly to your home.

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Frequent Urination in Men May Indicate an Underlying Problem

Thursday, February 4th, 2010

As men age many of them notice that they feel the need to urinate far more frequently then they did when they were younger. While frequent urination in men is associated with ageing, you should never just assume that your increased frequency is simply due to getting older. If you notice an increase in your bathroom visits, it is a good idea to discuss this change with your health care professional, because there are various causes for frequent urination in men, many of which can be relieved.

If you are unable to sleep through the night without getting up to go to the bathroom, you are suffering from nocturia, which is simply frequent urination during sleeping hours. Normally, you should be able to sleep six to eight hours without waking to go to the bathroom. So if you notice that you are getting up several times during the night to relieve yourself, this is reason enough to have a talk with your doctor.

Sometimes a frequent or urgent need to relieve yourself can be a symptom of a urinary tract infection. The inflammation from the infection affects the bladder reducing its urine holding capacity, and this translates into more frequent bathroom visits. Caffeine in beverages can also irritate your bladder and cause the urge for more frequent urination.

Frequent urination in men can also be a harbinger of diabetes or cancer, or it can occur as the side effect of drugs like diuretics. Another problem that could be occurring is an actual dysfunction of the bladder. One of the more common causes of frequent urination in men is an enlarged prostate gland. This gland surrounds the urethra and functions to secrete seminal fluid. As the prostate grows, it begins applying pressure on the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder to be voided. As the pressure increases, the need to urinate becomes more frequent.

As the prostate gland grows the bladder muscle has to exert more pressure to push the urine through the urethra, and this causes the bladder muscle to become more sensitive and stronger. However, if the prostate continues to grow crowding the urethra more and more, at some point the bladder muscle will not be able to compensate, so it is important to talk to your doctor about this condition as well.

If you notice that your number of bathroom visits has increased during the day or night, you may want to consider several things. Notice if you have begun taking a new medication, and determine if there is anything else other than frequent urination going on. Pay attention to when you have to go to the bathroom, whether day or night or after eating or drinking certain foods. See if your fluid intake has increased, and notice if the colour of your urine is darker than normal. All of this information will be very helpful as you discuss your problem with your doctor to see what the underlying cause is for your frequency problem.

And as you are determining what is causing your problem, there are many incontinence products and protective pants that can help with any leakage that you may be experiencing. While frequent urination in men is common in an ageing population, it should not be considered normal, and discussing it with your doctor during your next exam would be prudent. You may even be pleasantly surprised to find that there is a course of treatment that can dramatically improve or alleviate your frequent need to urinate.

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Prostate Enlargement and Incontinence

Monday, September 21st, 2009

The prostate is a walnut-shaped organ located at the base of the bladder (bladder neck). It surrounds the urethra in men, and its main function is to supply necessary fluid to male ejaculate. It supplies up to 70% of the fluid that makes up semen, and thus plays an important role in male sexual health.

As men age, the prostate enlarges, a condition known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH). BPH is common in men; in fact, after the age of 40, most men have some degree of enlargement of the prostate, with the percentage of men affected increasing with age.  This benign enlargement can cause urinary symptoms in some men. This is due to the prostate applying pressure to the bladder and/or urethra. Symptoms may include bladder weakness, a weak or dribbling urine stream, a frequent or urgent need to urinate, and nocturia (frequent nighttime urination).

How is the condition treated? If symptoms are not too severe, a watch-and-wait approach may suffice, with frequent check-ups as needed to monitor the condition. For men bothered by urinary symptoms, medications may be tried to reduce urinary symptoms. These drugs are aimed at shrinking the prostate or slowing its growth; some relax muscles near the prostate gland, reducing urgency and frequency.

Surgery is generally reserved for severe enlargement or cases that are not amenable to medication therapy. The most common surgical procedure for an enlarged prostate is  a TURP (transurethral resection of the prostate), in which excess tissue is trimmed from the prostate via an instrument passed through the urethra. This type of surgery is usually successful and has a low incidence of incontinence and impotence following. However, no surgery is without risk, and men considering any surgical procedure for prostate enlargement should know the potential risks and perceived benefits before undergoing any procedure.

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Bladder Weakness & Your Doctor’s Appointment – What to Expect

Sunday, August 16th, 2009

You have made the decision to visit your doctor to discuss your bladder weakness. You may be wondering what is in store for you during your visit. Knowledge is power, and knowing what to expect will decrease your anxiety and allow you to get the most out of your visit.

First of all, you can expect your doctor to question you extensively regarding episodes of bladder weakness, including when they occur, how often they occur, anything you have noticed that makes your bladder weakness worse or better, and when your bladder weakness started. You may also expect questions regarding the amount of fluids you consume (including caffeinated and alcoholic beverages), medications you are taking, your health history, any surgeries you have had, and whether you have any abnormal urinary symptoms such as blood in your urine.

It may be very helpful to keep a bladder (voiding) diary for at least a week before your appointment. Keeping a voiding diary will enable you to collect a lot of meaningful information to take with you to your appointment, such as when and how much you drink, and when you are most likely to experience bladder weakness. This information can help your doctor pinpoint with more accuaracy which type of incontinence you have.

In addition to asking a lot of questions, your doctor may examine you. For women, this may include a vaginal exam to check for muscle tone, as well as checking sensation of the perineum. This is done simply by asking if you can feel pressure  in the area when it is touched. For men, a prostate exam may be part of the examination, in order to determine whether the prostate is enlarged. Palpation of the abdomen may be performed to ensure that there is no abnormal enlargement of the organs.

A urinalyisis (UA) may be done to check for infection of the urinary tract. Other tests, such as an ultrasound or other specialized test, may be ordered depending on your personal circumstances, your history and your doctor’s findings. These tests may help your doctor decide on the best treatment for you.

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