You enjoy an active lifestyle, prioritizing quality time with your friends, particularly now that your children have grown up and are occupied with their own lives. As a woman in her middle age, you have a strong desire to engage in activities that you may have missed out on, including adventurous endeavors like traveling and sightseeing. However, recently you have become aware of certain challenges such as experiencing urinary leakage and struggling to reach the restroom in a timely manner. This issue has become a source of concern for you, particularly when you are away from the comfort of your own home. You are currently facing the problem of urinary incontinence, which is commonly associated with aging and more prevalent in women than men.
About incontinence
The urinary bladder is like a bag that collects and holds urine from the kidneys. When it fills up, you feel the need to pee. However, sometimes you can’t control your bladder and end up leaking urine before reaching the bathroom. This is called urinary incontinence.
You might experience small leaks when you cough or laugh, or you might suddenly feel the urge to pee a lot and not make it to the restroom in time. It can be embarrassing, but it’s important to seek help to treat or manage the incontinence.
Causes
Urinary incontinence in women can be caused by various factors, including age and lifestyle choices. The muscles in the bladder and the sphincter muscles surrounding the urethra may not have enough strength to retain urine. Additionally, menopausal women may experience weakened and deteriorated urethral tissue due to a lack of estrogen, leading to issues with bladder control.
Pregnancy and childbirth bring about numerous hormonal changes and an enlarged uterus, which can lead to weakened pelvic muscles. The strain of a vaginal delivery may result in organs protruding into the vagina, leading to incontinence.
Other causes for urinary incontinence include:
- Constipation
- Urinary tract infection
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Medications
- Over hydration
- Excess weight
- Abnormal growths
- Neuromuscular problems
Incontinence can be resolved by treating medical conditions such as constipation and urinary tract infection.
Temporary or transient urinary incontinence can be caused by alcohol, caffeine, certain medications, excessive fluid intake, and obesity. Making changes to your lifestyle and habits can help alleviate this issue. On the other hand, long-term incontinence may be caused by abnormal growths such as tumors, bladder stones, or polyps, as well as neuromuscular problems resulting from conditions like diabetes, stroke, or multiple sclerosis.
Types of urinary incontinence
Depending on the symptoms presented, urinary incontinence can be classified into different types.
Stress incontinence happens when urine leaks due to sudden pressure on the muscles in your lower stomach. Activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, lifting heavy objects, and similar movements can put pressure on the bladder, causing this type of incontinence. It’s commonly observed in younger and middle-aged women, particularly after pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, because the tissues and muscles become weaker.
Urge incontinence occurs when you have a strong need to urinate, but urine leaks out before you can reach the bathroom. This happens because the muscles in your bladder are overactive, which is also referred to as an overactive bladder. It’s more prevalent in older people and those with brain disorders such as stroke or dementia. Women who have gone through menopause may also experience this due to low estrogen levels.
Mixed incontinence is when someone experiences more than one type of incontinence. The most common combination is stress and urge incontinence, especially in older women. As people age, they may also experience a combination of urge and functional incontinence.
Overflow incontinence is characterized by a steady leakage of small amounts of urine. This happens when the bladder doesn’t empty completely during urination, which can be due to weak muscles or a blocked urethra. Women are less prone to this condition.
Functional incontinence occurs when individuals are unable to make it to the restroom on time due to difficulties with thinking, moving, or speaking. Conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, stroke, or severe arthritis can limit their ability to use the toilet.
It’s important to recognize that urinary incontinence is not a normal part of having children or growing older. While pregnancy and childbirth can cause significant changes in a woman’s body, and aging can lead to a decrease in the bladder’s ability to hold urine, there are ways to manage and even cure urinary incontinence with the right guidance and treatment. Don’t let this condition hold you back – seek help and take control of your health.
Diagnosis
To accurately diagnose the specific type of urinary incontinence, it is recommended to maintain a bladder diary for at least 3 days. This diary should include important information such as fluid intake, frequency of urination, urges experienced, and the number of incontinence episodes. Furthermore, a laboratory analysis of urine and blood samples will be carried out to test for any signs of infection. A thorough physical examination will also be conducted to identify any potential nerve damage or abnormalities related to the bladder. Additionally, specialized tests like postvoid residual measurement, pelvic ultrasound, urodynamic tests, stress test, dye test, cystogram, and cystoscopy may be performed to provide further insights.
Treatment
The doctor will decide on the most suitable treatment option after reviewing the patient’s medical history and diagnosis.
Bladder training and kegel exercises, along with making some lifestyle changes, can be effective in treating the condition. By practicing bladder training, you can gain better control over the urge to urinate and regulate the frequency of bathroom visits.
Kegel exercises are a great way to improve bladder control by training the pelvic floor muscles. These exercises are particularly helpful for managing stress and urge incontinence. To make sure you’re targeting the right muscles, try to stop or slow down urine flow without using your stomach, leg, or buttock muscles. Squeeze and hold the muscles for a few seconds, then relax. Repeat this process, gradually increasing the duration of each squeeze. These exercises are initially best done lying down, but as your muscles get stronger, you can try them while standing or sitting. It’s always a good idea to learn these exercises from a qualified trainer. Biofeedback can also be useful in identifying and contracting the correct muscles by using sensors and a monitor. For those who are unable to perform the exercises, electro stimulation can be done to strengthen the muscles.
Making some lifestyle adjustments can greatly assist in managing incontinence. Shedding excess weight, cutting back on caffeine, staying properly hydrated, and following a regular urination schedule can all contribute to combating this condition. Additionally, you can find absorbent pads and adult diapers at your local drug stores to alleviate any discomfort caused by urine leakage.
Treatment for incontinence may involve a combination of medication and behavioral therapy. Medications can help to soothe the bladder and prevent sudden contractions. Estrogen creams can be applied to the vagina for mild stress incontinence. Surgery may be considered if other treatments are not effective.
Outlook
Urinary incontinence affects countless women, but the good news is that most cases can be treated successfully. So, if you’re experiencing any symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult a doctor. Through behavioral treatment and careful management, you can find a cure and feel more at ease and self-assured.
