What treatment is commonly used for urge incontinence?

Urge incontinence, characterized by a sudden and overwhelming urge to urinate, is often treated effectively with anticholinergic medications. These drugs work by blocking the action of acetylcholine on muscarinic receptors in the bladder, leading to decreased bladder contractility and an increase in bladder capacity. This results in a reduction of the sensations of urgency and frequency associated with urge incontinence.

The primary mechanism of anticholinergics helps to manage the overactive bladder muscle, which is a key feature of urge incontinence. By dampening the involuntary contractions of the detrusor muscle during the filling phase, patients experience improved control over urination and fewer episodes of incontinence.

Using other treatments such as alpha-adrenergic blockers, hormone replacement therapy, or diuretics would not target the fundamental issue of urge incontinence as efficiently as anticholinergics do. These alternatives are not primarily aimed at addressing the primary symptoms or pathology associated with overactive bladder, thus making anticholinergics the standard treatment in this scenario.