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The involuntary passing or leaking of urine is known as urinary incontinence and is a relatively prevalent issue. Both men and women experience it, but women do it more frequently than males. Damage to or weakening of the muscles that help control urination and the bladder are the main causes of incontinence. We go over the signs, kinds, causes, and treatments of urine incontinence in this health article.
Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence
Urine leaks or accidental involuntary passage
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Frequent urination
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Inability to hold pee
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Inability to pass urine fully
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Passing a few drops of urine after you thought you were done passing urine.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
Stress Incontinence
The cause of urinary incontinence can be triggered by stress and occurs when the urethra, the tube through which pee leaves the body, is less able to remain closed when the bladder fills with urine. The pressure inside your bladder rises when it becomes filled with urine. Any sudden strain on the bladder, such as that caused by sneezing, coughing, laughing, or physical activity, might result in inadvertent pee leakage or passage if the urethra is weak. The urethral sphincter and pelvic floor muscles are the main causes of a weak urethra. The following circumstances can lead to pelvic floor muscle damage:
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Vaginal childbirth (normal delivery)
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Accidental injury during any abdominal surgical operations.
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Increased strain on the stomach due to situations like pregnancy and obesity
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Diseases of the nervous system (neurological conditions)
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Diseases of the connective tissues.
Urge Incontinence
Incontinence brought on by an overactive or injured detrusor muscle, which governs the urge to urinate, is known as urge incontinence. Urge or need incontinence occurs when the detrusor muscle contracts too frequently, leading to an uncontrollable need to pass pee or even urine leakage. Normally, the detrusor muscle extends itself to enable the storage of urine within the bladder and only contracts when you go to pass the urine. The following factors are likely to contribute to urge incontinence:
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Dehydration
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Increased use of coffee and alcohol
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Urinary tract infections
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Neurological disorders
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Constipation.
Overflow Incontinence
Also known as chronic urinary retention, this problem prevents you from passing all of your urine. Any type of obstruction or blockage in the bladder, such as bladder stones, causes this to occur. Urinary urges or leaks are common as a result of the pressure created by the leftover pee around the blockage.
Total incontinence
As the term suggests, total incontinence is a condition in which the bladder completely fails to hold any urine, causing continual urine passage. Total incontinence can result from:
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Congenital bladder issues (bladder issues from birth)
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A bladder fistula, which develops when a tiny tunnel-like hole forms between the bladder and the surrounding tissue
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Combination of the aforementioned types of incontinence.
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Medications - Several medications, such as ACE inhibitors and diuretics, antidepressants, hormone replacement therapy, and sedatives, can also result in urine incontinence
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Other Risk Elements - Advancing years; incontinence in the family; and urinary tract infections
Treatment for Incontinence of the Bladder
The classification of urinary incontinence treatment at Manipal Hospitals Mysore, is the following:
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Non-surgical Treatment
Non-surgical treatment options include physiotherapy, incontinence products, medicine, lifestyle modifications, and medication.
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Lifestyle Modification
Modifying one's lifestyle to lose weight (in situations of overweight and obesity), increase fluid intake, consume less caffeine and alcohol, etc.
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Medication
Depending on the kind of incontinence and other medical conditions, different types of drugs can be prescribed for the treatment of incontinence.
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Physiotherapy
Pelvic floor strengthening activities such as Kegels, bladder training, and electric stimulation.
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Incontinence Products
There are several products that, while not treating incontinence, do assist in controlling unintentional leaks. These goods include adult diapers, catheters, and absorbent pads.
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Surgery
If non-surgical treatments are unsuccessful, your doctor may recommend surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions on Urinary Incontinence
1. Does urinary incontinence occur only in the elderly? Is urinary incontinence an inevitable problem of progressive age?
No, urinary incontinence is not confined only to the elderly, and it is neither an inevitable part of ageing. However, the elderly population are more prone to incontinence due to various factors such as weakening muscles, slowing reflexes, declining cognition, hormonal changes, and other health conditions.
2. Who is at risk of developing urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence can happen in people of any age group and gender. However, it is more common in women when compared to men. Particularly the risk of incontinence is higher in women during pregnancy and after childbirth. In men, the incidence is more common in the elderly age group and in those with prostate issues.
3. What lifestyle modification can help manage urinary incontinence?
Some lifestyle changes such as practising exercises that strengthen performing pelvic floor such as Kegel exercises, maintaining a healthy weight to reduce pressure on the bladder, reducing consumption of bladder irritants or products with diuretic properties (increased urine production), and adequate hydration, can prove effective in managing urinary incontinence.
4. Whom should you speak with if you have issues with incontinence?
For issues with urine incontinence, you can speak with a gynaecologist, a urologist, or a general practitioner.
