Incontinence can be very disruptive to a person's normal life. Urinary incontinence affects approximately 26 percent of all women between the ages of 30 to 59. Incontinence can be treated with medication and by modifying behavioral habits such as eating and drinking. Learning to correctly use pelvic and abdominal muscles can also help with incontinence.

A feeling that you have to go to the bathroom all of the time, or to leak with coughing, sneezing or exercise, may be signs of incontinence. Many patients say they go to the bathroom frequently or leak with stressful activities and they think it's normal. They are surprised when they learn it's not.

Urinary incontinence is not a normal part of aging and can often be improved and even cured. Treatment depends on the type of incontinence you have, your medical history, your age and your personal preferences.

Therapy can vary from simple Kegel exercises to physical therapy, medication or surgery. Baptist East offers a special women's health physical therapy program to deal with incontinence and other pelvic area problems. For those who need testing to help pinpoint the cause of their incontinence, your doctor can refer you to the urodynamics lab. If a woman needs further treatment, a new minimally-invasive procedure called Tension-Free Vaginal Tape may be the answer. For men, an outpatient procedure called TUMT -- Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy -- can help those who suffer from urinary tract infections and have trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate.

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