Urine leakage, known as stress incontinence, can be an embarrassing, debilitating issue, but according to the urologists at Medical Center Urology in High Point, NC, it’s easily treatable. It’s fairly common, especially in women, and recovery can begin immediately after diagnosis.

Stress incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine from the body. It’s most commonly associated with sneezing, coughing and any movements that strain the bladder, and is related to weakened muscles surrounding the area.

It’s estimated over 25 million Americans deal with stress incontinence. It’s most common in women and can be caused by a number of factors including childbirth, menopause or dysfunction of muscles in the urinary system. This prevents the urethra from closing and allows small amounts of urine to flow freely whenever pressure is placed on the bladder.

Fortunately, there are plenty of at-home exercises and lifestyle changes you can make to treat this disorder. Kegel exercises, the most common form, involve strengthening bladder support muscles and can be done anywhere. Female urinary incontinence has also been linked to obesity, so losing weight, exercising and eating healthier will improve your condition. For more serious cases, a urologist can administer injections, perform surgery, or use a special device to treat stress incontinence; however, these are usually only used when non-invasive methods don't work.

If you’re dealing with stress incontinence, contact a urology specialist at Medical Center Urology. They’ve helped patients for over 25 years and will work with you to diagnose the issue and construct a treatment plan to help you overcome it. Call (336) 882-0220 today to schedule a consultation and visit their website and Facebook page to learn more about their services.