Urinary incontinence is the leakage of the urine. It means that the person wants to urinate even if they don’t want to. The control over the urinary sphincter is either weakened or lost. It is a common issue which affects plenty of people.
Urinary incontinence is common among woman than men. An estimated 30% of the females who are aged 30-60 are suffering from it in comparison to 2-5% of men.
Facts of Urinary Incontinence
Here are some important points about urinary incontinence:
- Obesity and smoking are risk factors for urinary incontinence
- There are plenty of reasons why urinary incontinence does occur
- Urinary incontinence is common in females than in males
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is when a person is unable to restrict the urine from leaking out. This can be due to stress factors, like coughing, it happens after and during the pregnancy & is also common with conditions like obesity.
The chances of happening it increase with age. There are exercises which can prevent it like pelvic floor, bladder control or kegel exercises.
Treatment for urinary incontinence
The treatment of urinary incontinence depends on various factors like the type of incontinence, mental health and general health of the patient.
Stress incontinence
You should do pelvic floor exercises which are known as Kegel exercises, which help in strengthing of the urinary sphincter and the pelvic floor muscles- these are the muscles which help to control the urination.
Bladder training
- Delaying of the event: The main aim is to control your urge. The patient here learns on how to delay the flow of urine when there is an urge to do so.
- Toilet timetable: The person here schedules the bathroom at set times during the day, like for example every 2 hours.
- Double voiding: This means urinating, then waiting for a couple of minutes, then urinating again.
Urinary Incontinence Medications
If the medications are used, then they are used in combinations with other exercises. These are the medications which are helpful in treating urinary incontinence:
- Imipramine is an antidepressant.
- Topical estrogen might reinforce the tissue in the urethra and around the vaginal areas.
- Anticholinergics are able to calm the overactive bladders which may help patients to reduce urge incontinence
Medical devices
The following are the medical devices which are basically designed for females.
- Pessary: A rigid ring which is inserted into the vagina and can be worn all day. It helps to hold the bladder up and to help prevent leakage.
- Bulking agents: These are injected into tissue around the urethra, this help to close the urethra easily.
- Botox: It’s injected into the bladder muscle, this is helpful for those who are having an overactive bladder.
- Urethral inserts: A woman inserts the device before the activity and can take it out when she wants to urinate.
Surgery for Urinary Incontinence
Surgery is an option when other therapies do not work. Women are planning to have children should consult all the options with the doctor before making any decision.
- Artificial sphincter: An artificial sphincter is inserted to restrict the flow of the urine from the bladder into the urethra.
- Sling procedures: Here, a mesh is inserted under the bladder which can support the urethra and can stop the urine from leaking out.
- Colposuspension: Lifting the bladder can help in relieving the stress incontinence.
Other options for urinary incontinence
Absorbent pads: There are a wide range of absorbent pads which are available to purchase at supermarkets or even at online
- Urinary Catheter: This is a tube which goes from the bladder through the urethra, out from the body which collects the urine.
Causes of Urinary Incontinence
Stress incontinence
The factors in stress incontinence include:
- Age
- Obesity
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Hysterectomy and other surgical procedures
- Menopause
Urge incontinence
The causes of urge incontinence are as follows:
- Neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis, stroke
- Enlarged prostate which will cause the bladder to drop
- Cystitis which is an inflammation of the lining of the bladder
Overflow Incontinence
It happens when there is a blockage to the bladder. The following points may cause obstruction:
- Urinary stones
- Constipation
- Enlarged prostate gland
- A Tumour pressing against the bladder
Total Incontinence
This can result in:
- A fistula, when a channel develops between the bladder and the nearby area, which is the vagina.
- Anatomical defect present from birth
Risk factors of urinary incontinence
Below are the following risk factors which are linked to urinary incontinence:
- Smoking: This will lead to a chronic cough, which will result in incontinence.
- Old age: The muscles which are present in the bladder and the urethra get weaken by age.
- Obesity: It puts the pressure on the bladder and the surrounding muscles. It also weakens the muscles, which makes the leakage more likely when the person is about to sneeze.
- Prostate disease: Incontinence may be present after prostate surgery.
Diagnosis of urinary incontinence
The ways to diagnose urinary incontinence are:
- Physical exam: The doctor will examine the vagina and check the strength of the pelvic floor muscles. They may also examine the rectum of the male patient to check if the prostate is enlarged.
- Pelvic ultrasound: It provides an image which can help to detect the abnormalities.
- Stress test: The patient in this will be asked to apply the pressure while the doctor will lookout for the loss of the urine.
- A bladder diary: The person will record how much they drink when the urination occurs how much of the urine is produced and the number of times incontinence occurs.
Complications in urinary incontinence
Sometimes the inability to retain urine will result in discomfort and some physical problems.
These problems include:
- Prolapse: A part of the vagina, bladder and sometimes the urethra can fall into the entrance of the vagina. This is caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles.
- Skin problems: A person suffering from urinary incontinence is likely to have skin sores, infections and rashes because the skin is wet most of the time. This thing is bad for wound healing.
Don’t feel embarrassed as it can withdraw you socially which can lead to depression. Anyone who is suffering from urinary incontinence can consult a doctor.
Nisha Pandey
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