This article is evidence-based, verified by\u00a0<\/em>Dr. Ahmed Zayed<\/em><\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this post, we'll cover:<\/p>\n
Patients with epilepsy who experience urinary incontinence should inform their doctor first. It\u2019s not uncommon for people to feel uncomfortable about sharing this information, but the healthcare provider can recommend the most suitable route of treatment for urinary incontinence. Management of incontinence usually involves the following. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the most critical aspects of managing urinary incontinence is the implementation of behavioral strategies such as: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kegels are well-known exercises for pelvic floor muscles. While they typically are exercises for women, men can do Kegels as well. Practicing Kegel exercises allows you to strengthen the muscles that control urination. Not only are these exercises practical for stress-related incontinence, but they also help address urge incontinence as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Studies show Kegels have the potential to improve a person\u2019s quality of life. Pelvic floor exercises are more comfortable to perform than it seems. Imagine you are trying to stop urine flow and proceed to tighten those muscles, hold for a few seconds, then release. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
As you\u2019re getting used to Kegels, you can keep squeezing to make them more challenging. More durable bladder and better control of it can help manage incontinence in different situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are worried about having a seizure which will induce the leakage of urine, it may be useful to\u00a0wear absorbent pads<\/a>\u00a0or protective garment. These will absorb the urine and prevent uncomfortable situations in public.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being overweight or obese increases the risk of urinary incontinence. A growing body of evidence confirms that weight loss can aid the management of urinary incontinence and improve the overall quality of life. This is particularly important if we bear in mind that overweight and obesity are prevalent in patients with epilepsy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One study showed that 55.2% of epilepsy patients with overweight or obese. Modify your diet and exercise regularly to lose weight and maintain it in a healthy range. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
To treat urinary incontinence, many doctors prescribe drugs with different actions. Drugs such as anticholinergics calm a busy bladder while others like Mirabegron relax the bladder muscle and increase the amount of urine the bladder can hold. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Surgery is the last resort; this treatment the doctors recommend only when other strategies and lifestyle modifications don\u2019t work. Several surgical procedures could address urinary incontinence such as sling procedures, bladder neck suspension, artificial urinary sphincter, and prolapse surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides the above-mentioned management strategies, you may also want to: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Neurological disorders often lead to urinary incontinence due to various reasons such as spinal cord injuries, nerve damage, and increasing the amount of pressure on the bladder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both tonic and absence seizures could contribute to urinary incontinence. Tonic seizures cause incontinence due to pressure on the bladder, while in absence, seizures signals from the brain to retain urine get confused due to impaired consciousness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The treatment of urinary incontinence often depends on the underlying cause, in this case, epilepsy. That\u2019s why eliminating urinary incontinence for good could be challenging. In most cases, patients gain more control of the bladder and manage other symptoms of incontinence. This improves their quality of life and helps them feel more confident, especially in public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bear in mind that adhering to doctor-recommended treatment for epilepsy can also aid the management of urinary incontinence. That\u2019s why it\u2019s vital to go regular checkups and inform the doctor about all symptoms and changes you experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being proactive about your health is incredibly important. When left unmanaged, urinary incontinence can cause other problems such as urinary tract infections, skin problems, and affect your confidence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Epileptic seizures, like other neurological disorders, can cause urinary incontinence. Management of urinary incontinence requires a combination of medications and lifestyle changes. A healthier lifestyle, coupled with doctor-recommended strategies, can help improve the overall quality of life in patients with epilepsy who experience urinary incontinence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Managing the underlying condition (in this case, epilepsy) can also help tackle this problem. <\/p>\n\n\n\n