Bladder Control Medication
Most people experience bladder control problems at some point in their lives and sometimes simple tips such as foregoing caffeine and alcohol or engaging in pelvic muscle strengthening exercises, seem to work. At other times, they do not, and this is when some opt to take bladder control medication.
Bladder control medication is found to be especially helpful if the urinary leakage is thought to be caused by urge incontinence or an overactive bladder.
Some of the drugs prescribed to reduce the functioning of an overactive bladder block the chemical acetylcholine, which is thought to aggravate abnormal bladder contractions. This bladder control medication falls under the category of Anticholinergic drugs, and medicine such as Ditropan, Detrol and Sanctura are just some of the drugs that are covered through its generic umbrella. Such drugs are most often meant to be taken orally but some are even available in the form of a medicated skin patch or cream. Adverse reactions to these drugs are generally minimal and the most commonly received complaint to medication taken orally is that it results in a dry mouth, while skin patches and creams can lead to skin irritations in certain individuals.
The antidepressant drug Imipramine helps in the relaxation of bladder muscles and is another bladder control medication that is frequently prescribed. Its main side effect is said to be a resultant drowsiness while a small percentage of its users may experience an irregular heartbeat, dizziness or blurred vision.
A common cause of urinary incontinence is said to be the weak supportive tissue surrounding the bladder area. To elaborate further, when a woman reaches the post-menopausal stage in her life, estrogen (which generally serves to enhance nerve function and helps control tissue deterioration) hits a low, so in order to rectify this, some physicians prescribe topical estrogen cream as a form of bladder control medication, which generally proves to be most effective when combined with other therapies.
The anti-diuretic hormone lessens the production of urine, so bladder control medication such as Desmopress which is a form of hormone replacement therapy is sometimes prescribed to control urinary incontinence. This may result in undue water retention or might cause a sodium deficiency, in which case your physician needs to be informed, so that alternative options of treatment can be explored.
Botox injections are also part of the bladder control medication prescribed now. However prior to embarking on any course of medication, it must be re-iterated that self-diagnosis is inadvisable, and consulting a qualified physician is absolutely essential.