Urinary Incontinence: All you need to know

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. means unintentional passing of urine. Your control over the urinary sphincter is either lost or weakened. A number of treatments are available depends on what caused the problem and how serious it is.

Urinary incontinence is more common in women than in men. Female aged between — 30–60 years are suffering through it which is 30% of female. comparatively, in men, the percentages are 1.5 to 5%.

It is important to determine the type of Urinary incontinence that you have. By your symptoms, your doctor will tell you which type you have. the doctor will also guide you with the treatment.

• Urinalysis

A sample of your urine will be checked for any infection or any blood trace.

• Bladder diary

A doctor will suggest you maintain a dairy for several days you record how much you drink when you urinate, the amount of urine.

• Post-void residual measurement

You will ask to urinate in a container to measure the urine output. Then the doctor will check how much urine remains in your bladder using a catheter or ultrasound test. if the doctor found that a large amount of urine is left in the bladder then that means you have an obstruction in your urinary tract.

Several types of urinary incontinence, including

1. Stress Incontinence

when you cough or laugh lauds your urine leaks out as the bladder is under pressure.

Causes are:

• pregnancy
• menopause, as falling Estrogen can make the muscles weaker
• surgical procedures
• age
• obesity

2. Urge Incontinence

when urine leaks as you feel a sudden, intense urge to pass urine

Causes are:

• cystitis, an inflammation of the lining of the bladder.
• neurological conditions (multiple sclerosis (MS), stroke, and Parkinson’s disease).
• enlarged prostate.

3. Overflow Incontinence

when you are unable to empty your bladder fully, which causes frequent leaking

Causes are:

• An enlarged prostate gland
• A Tumor pressing against the bladder
• Urinary stones
• Constipation

4. Total Incontinence

When your bladder can’t store your urine at all. which causes you passing urine frequently.

Causes are:

• An anatomical defect present from birth.
• A spinal cord injury that impairs the nerve signals between the brain and the bladder.
• A fistula, when a tube or channel develops between the bladder and a nearby area, usually the vagina.

Some other causes of Urinary incontinence are:

• Some medications such as antihypertensive drugs, sleeping tablets, sedatives, etc.
• Alcohol.
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Symptoms of Urinary incontinence

• Coughing, sneezing or laughing.
• Heavy lifting.
• Exercises.

Nonsurgical -Treatment for urinary incontinence

The doctor will suggest some changes in your lifestyle to cure the problem.

• Lifestyle change

being obese can increase your risk of developing urinary incontinence. if you are overweight then your doctor may ask you to lose some weight. Also cutting down on caffeine and alcohol.

• Pelvic floor exercises

Being pregnant and giving birth can weaken your pelvic muscles. Your doctor will guide you about excess. Exercise your pelvis muscles by squeezing them. Strengthening your pelvic floor muscles may help prevent urinary incontinence.

• Bladder training

In this training, you learn ways to wait longer between needing to urinate and passing urine, guided by a specialist