Urinary incontinence is a medical condition that is common to women in which the urethra releases urine involuntarily or leads to sudden, uncontrollable urges to urinate. While men can also be afflicted with this condition, women suffer from this issue at twice the frequency as men do. This condition does not indicate that there is a serious medical issue, rather it is a result of aging and wear and tear on the body, it still can be a less than desirable experience to those afflicted with it.
Two types of urinary incontinence are most prominent – stress incontinence and urge incontinence. A couple of less frequent types of incontinence are reflex and total incontinence. Sometimes a women’s movements can result in a trickle of urine out of the bladder, a telltale sign of stress incontinence. On the other hand, when a woman suddenly and uncontrollably is met with a strong urge for urination, frequently leading to the accidental release of urine, this is symptomatic of urge incontinence. It is possible to have both of these types of incontinence at the same time, which is a condition called mixed incontinence.
There are various causes of incontinence. Stress incontinence is commonly caused by childbirth, which is why incontinence is much more prevalent in women than it is in men. Childbirth causes great strain on the pelvic floor muscles which surround the bladder. Other causes of stress incontinence include menopause, weight gain or injury. Urge incontinence is usually the result of nerve damage to the bladder, which can be brought upon by various medical conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis or stroke.
Upon a patient seeing a doctor to cure their urinary incontinence, the doctor will typically ask that the patient keeps a diary for a few days (or weeks) before the appointment time in order to detail their incontinence. The patient will be asked to record what items they ate or drank and detail the severity and frequency of their incontinence, in order to diagnose what factors (bodily, environmentally, or otherwise) are contributing to their incontinence. The doctor will also check the patient’s urethra for any blockages or damage, and will conduct tests on the bladder to determine how much urine it can hold.
If you are suffering from urinary incontinence, there a few steps that you can take to help cure it. The most often recommended measure is by performing kegel exercises, which involves flexing and releasing the pelvic muscles in order to strengthen these muscles and reduce involuntary leakages and urination. Medication can also be taken to control nerve impulses to the bladder, which can unnecessarily cause the bladder to force urination. Changes can also be made to your diet, with the recommendation that the sufferer stay away from caffeine, alcohol and cigarettes. In the most severe cases, surgery may be needed to repair damage to the bladder. Your doctor will recommend the best course of action specific to your condition, and following these steps can greatly help in controlling incontinence and restoring a more pleasant life.
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