Urinary incontinence is the involuntary passage of urine from the excretory system of the body. It is a condition that is commonly seen in 50% of older women and 15% of older men. However, most older adults don’t tell their healthcare provider about their condition. The reason could be either because they are too shy to speak about it, or because they think it is normal and that there is nothing that can be done about it. Whatever the reason may be, but both the scenarios are wrong. If you are one of those who is suffering from urinary incontinence yet not speaking to anyone about it, make sure you do approach a healthcare practitioner and let him/her know about your condition. Speaking to one such professional can bring about a solution, which cannot be possible by keeping silent.
What Will The Healthcare Practitioner Do?
When you speak to a healthcare practitioner, he will first have to understand everything about your condition. For this, he will ask you many kinds of questions, some which you may even feel shy to answer. But, you needn’t hesitate. Speak openly and honestly with the doctor because he is only there to help you. The most common questions that the doctor will ask you could be –
- How frequently is your urine leaking?
- How much amount of urine is leaking?
- Do you have to rush to the bathroom to avoid an accident?
- Do simple activities like sneezing and coughing affect your urine leakage?
- Is your condition affecting your work, social life, personal life and sex life?
What Kind Of Urinary Incontinence Do You Have?
There are five types of urinary incontinence that one may suffer from. Which one are you suffering from? Even though the doctor will ask you all possible questions to come to a conclusion as to what you condition is and how severe it is, you must also be informed about the kind of urinary incontinence you are suffering from. Listed below are the five types of urinary incontinence that one could encounter.
- Stress incontinence– This is the loss of small amounts of urine that is caused when you exert pressure on your abdomen and bladder by even the smallest of activities like sneezing, coughing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects. This happens because the muscles responsible to keep the bladder closed have weakened. Women encounter this generally after pregnancy or childbirth, while men come across it after removal of their prostate.
- Urgency incontinence– This is the loss of large amounts of urine with little or no warning. This happens when you have an overactive bladder. The reason behind this kind of incontinence could be an infection, bladder irritant, stroke or Alzheimer’s disease.
- Overflow incontinence– This is a frequent dribbling of small amounts of urine, with the inability to completely empty the bladder. This is often a complication of diabetes, and is more common in men due to prostate problems.
- Functional incontinence– This type of incontinence can be caused due to physical or mental impairments that prevent them from getting into the bathroom in a timely manner.
- Mixed incontinence– This is the combination of all or some of the conditions like stress incontinence, urgency incontinence, and overflow incontinence.
How Can Urinary Incontinence Be Treated?
After determining the kind and severity of urinary incontinence you are encountering, the doctor will suggest you a treatment plan. Some alternatives include –
- Behavioural changes like reducing the intake of alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, spicy foods, and other bladder stimulants.
- Stopping intake of certain medications that you may be taking, which may be worsening your incontinence.
- For females there is a boon in technology. It is known as Vaginal tightening laser treatment, which gently delivers laser energy to the vaginal wall that stimulates a healing response and tightens the vaginal canal and the bladder too. This can restore flexibility and shape of the vaginal wall and urethral and bladder wall too, thus controlling the urine leakage. Dr. Marwah’s Clinic is the best place you can be to consult a professional during such a condition, where you can be also provided with the best urinary incontinence laser treatment in Mumbai, if needed.
After reading this blog, you may think that urinary incontinence is a very normal condition, and that you shouldn’t be worried about it much. But, trust a doctor and let him know so that you can be free from the condition, and lead a happy and healthy life ahead.
