Steps to conquer urinary incontinence

When you've "gotta go" too often, or you just can't hold it in, inconvenience (and embarrassment) often follow. Take heart: there are numerous solutions — from exercises to medications — for the all-too-common curse of incontinence.

• Get treated for any contributing condition such as a urinary tract infection.
• Practice Kegel exercises or bladder training.
• Watch what and when you eat and drink.
• Medications to improve control.
• Surgery if other treatments don't help.

• Find a specialist. If you have a serious problem, a urologist or gynecologist (for women) can often identify the best approaches.
• Keep a diary. For three days, write down when you urinate, your feelings of urgency, when you have leaking, what you eat and what you're doing at the time the problem occurs. This will help you uncover what might trigger your incontinence, and will help your doctor choose the best treatment for you.
• Cross your legs. When you think you're going to sneeze or cough — causing involuntary leakage — this simple manoeuvre might stop the flow.
• Join a support group. Just talking to others who've suffered similar embarrassments can be very comforting. It’s also a good forum for exchanging helpful strategies.

Some 1.5 million Canadians have urinary incontinence, but many never tell their doctors, either because they're too ashamed or they mistakenly think it’s just part of getting older. This is too bad, because there’s a lot your doctor can do to help you control or cure this condition. The above suggestions are just a start.