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Overflow Incontinence occurs when the bladder does not empty normally. Because the bladder is always at least partially full, overflow incontinence may cause dribbling (nearly continuous leaking of small amounts of urine).
In men often an enlarged prostate causes the urethra to become narrower or to become blocked. For this reason, overflow incontinence is more common in men than in women. Weakened bladder muscles, another contributor to overflow incontinence, can develop in both men and women; this occurs most often in people with diabetes, heavy alcohol users, and others with decreased nerve function. When bladder muscles are weak, the bladder does not contract sufficiently to empty itself of urine.
Some of the symptoms of overflow incontinence are:
Feeling as though the bladder is never completely empty
Feeling the urge to urinate, but not being able to
Passing a dribbling stream of urine, even after spending a long time at the toilet
Frequently getting up at night to urinate (nocturia)
Treatment
Bladder training is the most common treatment for overflow incontinence. In this case, bladder training involves using a timetable that allows a patient to plan to empty his or her bladder before experiencing accidental leakage.
Catheterization - For some patients with overflow incontinence, the doctor may recommend the use of a catheter (a soft tube) to empty the bladder. Patients can learn to insert a catheter through the urethra into the bladder. Catheters may be used once in a while or on a constant basis, in which case the tube connects to a bag that can be attached to the leg.
Weakened bladder muscles will also respond to and benefit from Pelvic exercise or Kegel exercise.
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