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| Involuntary loss of urine when intra-abdominal pressures increase |
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| CHARACTERISTICS |
- Common in women
- Sudden loss of urine
- Usually small amounts
- Caused by increased intra-abdominal pressures as experienced when coughing, laughing, lifting, and exercise
- Occurs in upright position, not lying down
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| USUAL CAUSES |
- Weakness of the pelvic floor muscles (may be due to childbirth, diabetic neuropathies, or other causes)
- Bladder neck descent
- Intrinsic urethral sphincter deficiency (ISD)
- Obesity may exacerbate the problem
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| DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES* |
- Stress test (direct visualization)
- Stress cystourethrogram
- Cystourethroscopy
- Electromyogram (EMG)
- Videourodynamics
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| TREATMENT |
- Pelvic floor exercises (Kegal exercises)
- Biofeedback
- Electrical stimulation
- Vaginal pessary or vaginal cones
- Medications (for example, estrogen therapy or drugs that act on bladder muscles)
- Surgery (for example, bladder neck suspension or artificial sphincter)
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| * These are some examples of diagnostic procedures that may be ordered by your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will determine the appropriate procedure(s) for you. |
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