FAQs about Urinary Incontinence

Is stress urinary incontinence caused by a modern way of living?

Urinary incontinence or incontinence at all times may be diagnosed in both women and men. We used to talk only about female incontinence. It happens because there is a myth that all women who gave birth naturally have to deal with this problem to varying degrees, and nothing can be done about it. Today gynecologists together with United Way Pharmacy specialists confidently declare that this condition can be effectively treatedю A woman can return to a full life at any age. Whether you are 30 or 85 years old – if you suffer from urinary incontinence, seek help. Older people, of course, are much more likely to face such a problem due to the changes that the whole organism undergoes. But one should not think that this problem is not diagnosed in the young, and even occasional “accidents” should lead a woman to a doctor.

If only a little urine is excreted when sneezing, is it worth worrying?

Any involuntary excretion of urine, regardless of the amount, already serves as a signal that the system has some disorders.

People sometimes treat incontinence not serious, as a variation of the norm, about which, however, they are ashamed to speak. Indeed, incontinence does not lead to death, does not affect the state of health, so patients often try to “solve” this problem on their own. Currently, there are a great many items for proper personal hygiene. Unfortunately, over time, the disease, while progressing, forces a person who does not want to suddenly find himself in an awkward position, lead a constricted living – to refuse to travel, gatherings, go to the theater, and play sports. This can affect the psyche causing a feeling of inferiority and even lead to depression. If urine is involuntarily excreted when coughing, sneezing, vomiting, urination becomes frequent, you have to get up at night, and when urinating you experience pain, burning sensation, blood impurities are observed in the urine, be sure to consult a doctor. Only a doctor will be able to assess whether you have such a disorder and will prescribe an effective treatment.

What are the causes of urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence often worries older people. Women are at risk zone more likely than men because of the anatomical features. Dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, endocrine disorders, and sometimes the use of certain medications can also trigger the development of this ailment.

Young and middle-aged women after childbirth, especially after complicated ones, or if the child was large, have stretch and tear in the muscles of the pelvic floor, perineum, and urogenital diaphragm, which in turn can trigger the definite problem. For all expectant mothers before and after childbirth, it is recommended to do Kegel exercise daily to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. This complex of exercises is simple but very effective. Training the muscles of the vagina and the pubic-coccygeal muscle also protects against organ prolapse, and in addition bring new feelings to intimate life.

The causes of this disease can be all different, and therefore, a detailed examination should be conducted to specify them, and the correct treatment regimen should be chosen – medical therapy, surgery, or a simple lifestyle change – diet, gymnastics to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, especially in young patients. Such a regimen is not easy to accomplish, but it is so necessary to return to a bright life without radical measures.

Do Different reasons for incontinence development contribute to the same result?

Basically, there are 3 types of urinary incontinence: stress (with tension, for example, when coughing), imperative (irritable bladder syndrome), associated with an irresistible urge to urinate and mixed. The result is the same – the bladder cannot perform its functions but the mechanism of disease is different.

Stress incontinence – involuntary urine excretion during coughing, laughing, running and other physical activities, leading to an increase in intra-abdominal and, therefore, intravesical pressure. A characteristic feature of stress urinary incontinence is the lack of urge to urinate.

The main reason for the development of stress urinary incontinence in women is a decrease in the pelvic floor tone, leading to the omission of the pelvic organs (uterus, vagina, bladder, urethra), damage to the connective tissue structures of the pelvic floor, and lack of coordination of various muscle groups. Emotional stress can also serve as a trigger.

How to treat urinary incontinence?

Today incontinence is well treated. First of all, the doctor establishes the cause of urinary incontinence – assesses whether there are organ prolapses, conducts diagnostic tests, and determines the type of incontinence. Sometimes it is at once difficult to establish the cause, research and observation are required, which take some time, consultation of other specialists, for example, a urologist. The patient should come to the gynecologist with a filled bladder.

If diagnosed – irritable bladder syndrome, most often medications are prescribed which reduce the sensitivity of bladder receptors. Patients should also follow a specific diet to reduce excess weight and strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor.

Stress urinary incontinence is effectively treated with minimally invasive surgery through the vagina. During the operation, which lasts about 10 minutes with full anesthesia, a supporting synthetic loop is laid around the middle urethra part. This method is effective at 95%. After 5 to 10 years, the effectiveness remains at 80-70%.

It happens that people suffering from urinary incontinence begin to restrict fluid intake. Is it normal?

It is not normal. The concentrated urine further irritates the bladder which leads to the opposite effect. Water is necessary to drink. Experts strongly recommend abandoning coffee, carbonated beverages, concentrated juices, alcohol, and spices, but in no case from the water. Patients, regardless of the type of the disease, are recommended to get rid of excess weight, strengthen the pelvic floor muscles using Kegel exercise, take care of yourself, do not lift weights. These measures will not only save from the progression of urinary incontinence but also prevent pelvic organs from prolapse.

Regular visits to an obstetrician-gynecologist, an open conversation will help in time to notice changes in the body, prevent disease and manage the consequences caused by the process of natural aging.