Urinary Incontinence – Symptoms, Causes And Solutions 

Living with a condition that affects you on a daily basis can be frustrating to say the least. This is especially true when it comes to conditions such as urinary incontinence. You may be asking questions such as “why do I experience urinary incontinence?” and “what can I do to prevent this from happening?”.

While it definitely can be challenging, there are ways to treat this condition and cope with it more efficiently. Below, everything you need to know about urinary incontinence, causes, and treatment.

What is urinary incontinence?

Simply put, urinary incontinence signifies inability to hold urine in a bladder. This inability often results in involuntary leakage. The way this happens is the muscles that are a part of the urinary system stop working properly. Because of this, there’s always a possibility that a person might leak urine since they’re unable to control it.

This is why people suffering from this condition may not be able to perform certain tasks without worrying. Not only can their condition put them in an uncomfortable situation and cause embarrassment, but it can also affect them to a point where they start avoiding certain activities they once enjoyed.

What causes urinary incontinence?

There are many different factors that contribute to urinary incontinence. Sometimes, it will appear temporarily, following other health issues such as constipation and vaginal or urinary tract infection. It may also occur due to a person taking certain types of medication. Other times, urinary incontinence will appear together with different diseases, including arthritis, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s. Even injuries such as a spinal cord injury can cause a person to experience small amounts of leakage.

Many times, urinary incontinence will occur when there’s pressure on the bladder. For instance, leakage may happen at the moment the person sneezes or coughs, laughs, or lifts a heavy object. Age is also a large contributing factor – the older the person, the higher their chances of them experiencing this condition.

Who is affected by urinary incontinence?

Although urinary incontinence also occurs in men, it usually affects females. From pregnancy and childbirth to vaginal dryness and menopause, there are many causes of this condition in women. This is where laser therapies such as MonaLisa Touch for urinary incontinence can be of immense help. They aid in regaining bladder control by healing and rejuvenating vaginal tissue.

When it comes to men suffering from this condition, it is usually caused by issues related to the prostate gland. Common causes include enlarged prostate gland or its inflammation (known as prostatitis), as well as surgery-related muscle or nerve damage. Although urinary incontinence may happen in men and women aged 30-60, it is more common in elderly people. In fact, this condition is quite common when it comes to nursing homes. As for why it happens, there’s usually a mobility-related issue (known as functional incontinence) that prevents the affected person from making it on time to use the bathroom, hence the leakage.

How to treat urinary incontinence?

While the condition brings its own set of challenges, it doesn’t mean there is nothing you can do to manage it and relieve its symptoms. The way an individual will treat their urinary incontinence will depend on several factors. These include the patient’s overall health, age, mental state, and, of course, type of urinary incontinence.

After the doctor’s assessment, they will recommend the most suitable treatment option. For instance, they may recommend pelvic floor exercises or bladder training to help patients regain bladder control. They may also offer medications (Imipramine, anticholinergics, topical estrogen) or medical devices (pessary, urethral inserts, bulking agents, etc.). Surgeries are performed in cases where urinary incontinence occurs as a result of a blockage due to enlarged prostate in men. They can also help patients whose bladder position has changed and is now causing incontinence.

When should you visit a doctor?

Although many patients feel embarrassed talking to a doctor about this issue, seeking help as soon as possible is vital when experiencing this condition. In order to diagnose urinary incontinence, a doctor will perform a rectal or pelvic examination. Prior to being examined, your doctor will ask questions about the symptoms you’re experiencing.

Some of the most common symptoms to watch out for include:

•         painful and/or frequent urination (more than 8 times per day) 
•         cloudy or bloody urine
•         experiencing strong urges to urinate but only urinating in small amounts
•         finding it difficult to start urinating

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’d be best to visit your GP and seek medical advice.

Wrapping up

Urinary incontinence doesn’t only make day-to-day living more uncomfortable. It also has a negative effect on a person’s social interactions, and can lower their overall quality of life. By seeking help sooner rather than later, it is possible to receive the necessary treatment and keep the bladder healthy and functional for years to come.