Loss of bladder control
is called urinary incontinence. Some men develop incontinence after being
treated for prostate cancer. The condition can be temporary, and it may
be just a matter of time before those muscles are strong enough again to
control urination, or it may be chronic and a possible long-term side effect
from the cancer treatment. Regardless, help is available. There are many
ways to treat incontinence.
Types of Incontinence
There are three types of incontinence. Each type has its own symptoms:
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When the sphincters around the urethra are weak, it is called stress incontinence.
In these cases, lifting heavy objects, getting up from a chair, coughing,
sneezing, or laughing may cause urine to leak. Many men can control it
through the night, but may leak when they get up in the morning. Going
to the bathroom more often is a good way to avoid accidents.
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Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder is too full. Signs of overflow
incontinence include getting up often during the night to urinate, taking
a long time to urinate, urinating small amounts and not feeling empty,
the need to urinate but being unable to, leaking urine throughout the day,
and having a weak, dribbling stream with no force.
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Urge incontinence occurs when the bladder contracts too often. Wetting
oneself because of not getting to a restroom quickly enough is a sign of
urge incontinence. Because the bladder cannot hold the normal amount of
urine, patients may feel the need to urinate every few hours, or that they
have a very weak bladder. Wetting the bed at night is not uncommon.
Treatment for Incontinence
Treatment of incontinence depends on the type, severity, and cause
of the problem. Health care professionals can recommend exercises that
strengthen the muscles, medicines are also available to help the muscles
of the bladder or sphincter, and materials such as collagen can be injected
surgically to tighten the valve. Devices such as artificial sphincters
can also be used.
If the incontinence cannot be completely corrected, it can still be
helped. Learning how to manage and live with incontinence is important
because, if left untreated, it may disrupt quality of life. Fear, anxiety,
isolation, and embarrassment are common feelings in people who are incontinent.
These feelings may keep a person from doing the things he loves, such as
going to the park, playing golf, or picking up a grandchild. So, it’s important
that they speak with a health care professional to determine the best ways
to resume their normal activities.
More Help
There is no one right way to cope with incontinence. The challenge
is to find what works for the individual. There are many incontinence products
that allow people to remain active and comfortable: pads can be worn under
clothing; adult briefs and undergarments are available; and bed pads can
be used to protect the bed linens and mattress.
Here are some questions to ask when choosing incontinence products:
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How much absorbency does the product provide?
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Can it be seen under normal clothing?
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Is it disposable or reusable?
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Is it comfortable when moving or sitting down?
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Which stores carry the product? Are they easy to get to?
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Does insurance pay for these products?
There are also sheaths called condom catheters as well as compression devices
that are placed on the penis. And, for some types of incontinence, self-catheterization
may be an option. In this approach, a thin tube is inserted into the urethra
to drain and empty the bladder. It is easy to learn to do and is safe and
usually painless.
Patients may find it helpful to talk with other men who have the same
problems and feelings about living with incontinence. The American Cancer
Society (ACS) offers Man to Man, an education and support group, in many
areas. Call 1-800-ACS-2345, to see if one is available near you.
ACS News Center stories are provided as a source of cancer-related
news and are not intended to be used as
press releases.
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