What Causes Incontinence

Dr. Nicholas Laryngakis, a seasoned urologist with a decade-long experience stands as a testament to the trust and quality of care offered at a urology practice in St. Petersburg, FL. Trained at the University of Pennsylvania alongside Dr. Graves, another esteemed urologist, Dr. Laryngakis brings forth his expertise and knowledge on incontinence. 

Through their seemingly endless encounters with patients and a combined experience of 20 years, these urologists in St. Petersburg, FL are well-aware of the intricate issues that lay beneath the medical term ‘incontinence’.

The Causes of Incontinence

Dr. Laryngakis emphasizes that incontinence, whether of urine or stool, can be caused by a myriad of factors. Interestingly, one such simple cause is related to the patient’s diet. “Something as mild as what you’re eating” he emphasizes, could be the root of the problem. For instance, an excessive amount of caffeine can trigger incontinence, a fact all too real for patients drinking a pot of coffee a day.

Beyond Dietary Causes

Beyond the dietary habits, medications also play a significant role in triggering incontinence. As Dr. Laryngakis points out, “Certain diuretics can predispose to issues with urinary control.” However, the causes of incontinence extend past what we eat or the medicines that we consume.

The Physical Factors

If the patient is not physically fit, bedridden or struggles with other physical mobility issues, these factors can contribute to incontinence. “Sometimes, it really has nothing to do with their diet,” as Dr. Laryngakis puts it, underlining the multifaceted nature of incontinence causes, from lifestyle habits to physical conditions and complications related to the body itself.

Complications and Risks

Additionally, prior injuries to the spinal cord or the pelvic floor can increase the risk of incontinence, as can radiation of the pelvis before. Pregnancy issues, childbirth, and particularly vaginal deliveries are another potential cause of this condition, which Dr. Laryngakis highlights as “complicated in terms of different causes.”

The Resolution

The complexity of the causes behind incontinence may appear daunting. However, as Dr. Laryngakis assures, these issues are “often easy to figure out when you see a physician.”

St Pete Urology, a premier urology practice in St Petersburg, FL, offers specialized care for incontinence and other urological issues. With their team of experienced urologists who are armed with knowledge and a passion for providing quality care, they offer solutions to a broad spectrum of urological concerns. They stand as a beacon of hope and quality care for those battling with the multifaceted causes of incontinence, offering personalized treatments and compassionate care. 

Trust St Pete Urology to not only understand the causes behind your incontinence but to also offer you the ideal course of treatment. Their expertise, experience, and empathy ensure that you are in capable, caring hands.

References:

• “Urinary Incontinence – Symptoms – Urology Care Foundation.” https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/u/urinary-incontinence.
• “Incontinence: Leakage, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention.” 23 Oct. 2020, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17596-urinary-incontinence.
• “6 Diet Changes to Help You Handle Urinary Incontinence – WebMD.” 27 Aug. 2015, https://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/features/oab-diet.

Transcription:

Tonight, we’re going to talk about bowel and bladder control primarily. So Dr. Graves and I both actually trained together at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and we’ve been each practicing for close to 10 years, and we’ve had five years of urology training in residency and med school before that. And the topic tonight is something that we do have a lot of focus in and enjoy taking care of and have specialty in. 

So what causes incontinence of urine or stool? There’s a huge host of things that something your doctor can figure out, but sometimes it could be something simple if it’s mild, like what you’re eating, an excess amount of caffeine can do that. Some people will be drinking an excessive amount of coffee. I talked to some patients, they’re drinking a pot of coffee a day. Other times it really has nothing to do with their diet. Medications can do that. 

Certain diuretics can predispose to issues with urinary control. If you’re not as physically fit, bedridden, have other physical mobility issues, sometimes that can deal with causing incontinence. And then other things can increase your risk, like radiation of the pelvis before a prior injury to the spinal cord or your pelvic floor. 

Certain pregnancy issues or childbirth, like such as vaginal deliveries, sometimes can have something to do with that. Complicated in terms of regards to different causes, but something that is often easy to figure out when you see a physician.