A female patient is diagnosed with urge urinary incontinence. What is the most appropriate management for her?

Bladder retraining is the most appropriate management for a patient diagnosed with urge urinary incontinence. This approach involves techniques designed to help the patient regain control over their bladder. The core of bladder retraining is to gradually increase the time intervals between voiding, which helps to reduce the frequency of urine leaks by training the bladder to hold its contents for longer periods. This method targets the underlying issue of overactive bladder by retraining the patient's response to urgency.

Urinating frequently simply to avoid urgency can create a habit that may worsen incontinence, as it does not address the brain-bladder communication problem. Wearing protective garments may provide temporary relief from incontinence symptoms but does not treat the condition or its underlying causes. Reducing fluid intake to only four 8-ounce glasses daily may lead to dehydration and may not address the bladder's hyperactive behavior effectively; it could also result in concentrated urine, possibly exacerbating irritation and urgency. Thus, bladder retraining is the most effective long-term strategy for managing urge urinary incontinence.