people with overflow incontinence do not have the feeling of fullness, but they
lose urine day and night.
Your health care provider will talk with you about your
medical history and urinary habits. You may be asked to keep a record of your
usual habits in a bladder record (see Sample Bladder Record at end of booklet). You probably will have a physical
examination and urine tests. You may have other tests, as well. These tests
will help find the exact cause of your incontinence and the best treatment for
you. The table at the end of this
booklet (Common Tests Used to Diagnose Urinary Incontinence) lists some of the tests you may be asked to take.
Bladder training is used for urge
incontinence, and may also be used for stress incontinence. Both men and women
can benefit from bladder training. People learn different ways to control the
urge to urinate. Distraction (thinking about other things) is just one example.
A technique called prompted voiding -- urinating on a schedule -- is also used.
This technique has been quite successful in controlling incontinence in nursing
Pelvic muscle exercises called Kegel exercises
are used for stress incontinence. The Kegel exercises help to strengthen weak
muscles around the bladder.