$Unique_ID{BRK01996}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Uncontrollable Bladder, AKA Urinary Incontinence}
$Subject{Uncontrollable control controlling Bladder Urinary Incontinence pass
passing water cause causes causing medicine medicines medication medications
old older age aging storage problem problems empty emptying muscle muscles
bladder urine urinate urinated urinating contract contracting}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1993  Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Uncontrollable Bladder, AKA Urinary Incontinence


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

QUESTION:  This is not an easy condition for me to discuss with my physician
and I hope you will be able to provide me with an answer, perhaps a solution.
I pass my water without my wishing it, causing me much embarrassment.  I now
wear the pads to conceal it, but there must be some medications available to
stop this.  Can you tell me what they are?  I would be most grateful to you.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ANSWER:  I am afraid my answer will not replace the personal counsel of your
own family doctor, who has heard such complaints before, so should be an easy
person to discuss this matter with.  Urinary incontinence is a common problem
amongst our older citizens, and should not be accepted as a normal result of
aging.  But it is not a simple problem, and while medications do exist that
can be of great assistance, they are only effective when used properly.  There
are essentially two basic problems that cause incontinence, storage problems
and emptying problems.  These result from incorrect actions of the muscles of
the bladder that control the flow of urine, contracting when they shouldn't or
failing to contract when they should.  Only when the exact cause of your
problem is determined, can the correct medication be prescribed.  And that is
a job for your personal physician.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.