-
Step 1
Watch for slower than usual growth in kids. This may be an indication of inborn urinary tract problems.
-
Step 2
Look into your family history. Families with a long history of childhood bed-wetting may have genetic urinary incontinence issues. Bed-wetting itself is not incontinence, but may be a predictor of later incontinence development.
-
Step 3
Notice signs of anxiety in your kids. Anxiety can be a risk factor for urinary incontinence in children, but is treatable.
-
Step 1
Consider how many pregnancies you have had. Women who have had a child are more likely to develop some form of urinary incontinence at some point in life.
-
Step 2
Notice your age at pregnancy. Studies have shown that women 30 and over who become pregnant are more likely to develop urinary incontinence than younger women.
-
Step 3
Abstain from labor-inducing medications. Some research has shown that some labor inducing medications can cause greater force to be exerted on the pelvic area than normal birth does. This can increase your risk of urinary incontinence.
-
Step 4
Ask your obstetrician if you suffered pelvic prolapse during vaginal birth. Pelvic prolapse occurs when organs such as the bladder slip into the vagina. This, and the surgery to used to correct it, are both risk factors for incontinence.
-
Step 5
Speak to your doctor before electing to have a hysterectomy. Women who have had hysterectomies have higher rates of urinary incontinence.
-
Step 1
Stop smoking. Studies have shown smoking increases your risk for developing urinary incontinence.
-
Step 2
Shed a few extra pounds. The more extra weight you carry around, the greater your risk for developing urinary incontinence. Losing weight does reduce this risk.
-
Step 3
Tone down the way you exercise. People who engage in high-impact exercise such as gymnastics, softball and basketball are at risk for urine leakage. This is especially true for people who have low foot arches, who may experience a great deal of pelvic pressure as their feet hit the floor.
-
Step 4
Review your medical history. People with diabetes are at greater risk for urinary incontinence.
-
Step 5
Check your medicine cabinet. People who take certain drugs are at risk for incontinence. These drugs include diuretics, anti-depressants, some gout medications, sedatives and anti-psychotics.
