Overview:
Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control; Which leads to leakage of urine, as this affects personal life, and it can affect practical and social relationships, although men and women may develop it, but many risk factors for women increase their risk of contracting it, although it is more Common among older people, it is not a natural consequence of aging.
Types of incontinence in women:
- Stress incontinence: occurs when coughing, sneezing, or physical activity.
- Urge incontinence: It occurs when there is a strong, urgent, or urgent urge to urinate.
- Mixed incontinence: occurs when stress and urge incontinence occur together.
- Functional incontinence: occurs when there is a physical disability, or external obstacles.
- Transient incontinence: it is a temporary condition.
Causes:
It occurs due to pressure on the bladder (such as: coughing, sneezing, laughing, or physical activity), and may also result from physical changes with pregnancy and childbirth; As weak pelvic floor muscles lead to the bladder descending to the bottom of the pelvis; This makes it difficult for the sphincter muscle to squeeze tightly enough, causing urine to leak. Urinary incontinence can also occur without the bladder moving downwards if the urethral wall is weak.
It is caused by involuntary bladder contractions as a result of abnormal nerve signals that cause spasms in the bladder, causing a strong and urgent desire or urgency to urinate. Where damage to the spinal cord, brain, nerves and muscles of the bladder may lead to involuntary contractions of the bladder (such as: Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, or others), and there are stimuli that lead to urinary incontinence, for example: Drinking a small amount of water, touching water, hearing running water, or being in a cold environment even for a short time.
It occurs when symptoms of stress and urge incontinence occur together.
It is caused by a physical disability, external impediments, or mental problems that delay getting to the toilet in time.
It is usually caused by medication, or is a temporary condition, e.g.: Urinary tract infection, excessive caffeine intake, chronic cough, constipation, mental weakness.
Risk factors:
- Advance in age.
- Congenital defects in the urinary tract.
- Pregnancy and natural childbirth.
- Chronic cough.
- Neurological problems.
- Obesity.
- heredity.
Symptoms:
Many women experience minor urine leakage occasionally, and others may lose small to moderate amounts of urine more frequently.
When to see a doctor:
When enuresis reoccurs and affects the life of the affected person, it is important to seek medical advice as it may:
- Limits daily activities and social interactions.
- Increases the risk of falls in the elderly when rushing to the toilet.
Complications:
Complications of chronic enuresis include:
- Skin problems such as: rashes and sores.
- Urinary tract infections.
Diagnosis:
- Medical history.
- Clinical examination.
- Laboratory analysis: urine and blood analysis.
- Other tests: pelvic examination, and tests to rule out urinary tract infection, bladder stones and tumors.
Treatment:
Urinary incontinence can be treated with non-surgical means as the first treatment option, then surgical methods, which include:
Non-surgical methods:
- Lifestyle change: by losing weight and reducing caffeine consumption.
- Performing pelvic floor muscle exercises (Kegel exercises).
- Performing bladder exercises.
- Electrical stimulation device: to stimulate the nerve supplying the pelvic muscles.
- Magnetic field therapy: It works to contract and strengthen the pelvic muscles without pain.
Pharmacological means:
Determined by the doctor after the diagnosis is completed.
Surgical methods:
Surgical methods differ in different cases of stress and urge urinary incontinence.
Protection:
Urinary incontinence can't always be prevented, but the risk of developing it can be reduced with some steps that can be taken, including:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Practice pelvic floor exercises (Kegels).
- Doing physical activity to maintain fitness and muscle strength. Avoid bladder irritants (e.g.: caffeine, etc.).
- Eat more fiber to avoid constipation.
- Quit Smoking.
Instructions for people with urinary incontinence:
- Maintain the fluid intake recommended by the doctor.
- Minimize drinking drinks that contain caffeine (e.g.: tea and coffee).
- Protect clothes from getting wet and change them immediately when urine leaks.
- Limit fluid intake after dinner in the evening.
- Weight control to avoid pressure on the bladder.