Bladder Control Problems in Men
By: Reckless AlterTotal Views: 255, Word Count: 533,
While men experience bladder control problems less often than women, between 8 to 15% of older men suffer from urinary incontinence of other bladder problems as per a study conducted. Urinary infection symptoms in men frequently occur because of problems with the prostate, the walnut shaped organ which surrounds the urethra and frequently grows larger as men age. A large force is put on the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder by an enlarged prostate. Other problems with the urinary tract could also lead to bladder control problems in men.
Hesitation, Straining or Weak Stream
Straining to urinate as well as hesitation when initially starting to urinate or a weak urine stream all occur due to fractional obstruction of the urethra, generally by an enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate could occur from benign prostatic hypertrophy, an enlargement of the prostate generally seen as men age or from the cancer of the prostate.
A stricture or thinning of the urethra could also cause these symptoms. Drugs to reduce the prostate or surgery to open a stricture help in improving urinary hesitation, straining during urination or a weak urine stream.
Incontinence
Incontinence, an inability to control flow of urine, could occur as part of stress, urgency or overflow incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when abdominal force is increased such as when a man coughs, laughs or lifts something heavy. Urgency incontinence occurs when an irresistible need to urinate instantly leads to involuntary urine loss.
Overflow or incontinence i.e. a constant dribbling of urine might occur as the the bladder isn’t entirely emptied during urination. An overactive bladder due to nerve problems caused by a stroke, diabetes, urinary tract infection, a spinal cord injury or prostate problems could all cause urinary incontinence. Troubles with the deltrusor muscle, the muscle in the bladder wall which controls bladder contraction could also lead to incontinence. Treatments include medications, surgery or bladder training.
Nocturia
Bladder control problems in men also include nocturia which means tremendous urination at night. Nocturia often indicates kidney problems, but also occurs in liver or heart failure or poorly controlled diabetes. Hindrance of the bladder and urethra from an enlarged prostate could also cause nocturia. Too much alcohol or coffee intake in the evening or taking diuretics, medications that increase urination close to bedtime could also lead to nocturia. Determining and treating the cause helps in controlling nocturia.
Treatment for Urinary Incontinence
No single treatment works for everyone. Your treatment would depend on the type and harshness of your problem, lifestyle and your preferences starting with the simpler treatment options. Several men regain urinary control by changing a few habits and doing exercises to strengthen the muscles that hold urine in the bladder. If these behavioral treatments do not work, you could choose to try medicines or a continence device, either a catheter or artificial sphincter. Surgery is the best choice for some men.
The National Institute of Digestive and Diabetes and Kidney Diseases has several research programs aimed at finding treatments for urinary disorders or bladder control problems in men. It has also formed a group of some Prostate Evaluation Treatment centers to look at drugs and surgical therapies.
About the Author
Dr. Reckless Alter is graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine as a physician in 1969 and went on to earn his medical degree in 1973. For over 25 years he has been a pioneer in the field of surgery, with a special focus on wellness medicine and hormones for men. Dr. Reckless is currently a board-certified Family Practitioner and a precautionary Medicine specialist. He has helped heal many problems of men through his treatment.
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