Urinary incontinence: symptoms, causes and treatment

x

Definition

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is a dysfunction of the bladder that makes you unable to control the excretion of urine (urine). As a result, urine comes out suddenly without being wanted so that it interferes with daily activities.

Urinary incontinence is a common bladder disease and anyone can experience it. It's just that, this condition is more experienced by women and the elderly. Even though it is not dangerous, it does not mean that this condition can be ignored.

Untreated bladder control disorders can lead to a number of complications. These health problems can increase the risk of urinary tract infections and bladder disease, and reduce the quality of life of the sufferer.

If you have problems with incontinence, there are various treatment methods to treat it. There are also simple steps to restore bladder function so that you can return to urinating normally.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of urinary incontinence?

The main symptom of urinary incontinence is the involuntary passing of urine. Depending on the cause and severity of the incontinence problem, different people may pass different amounts of urine.

Bladder incontinence problems can also be divided into several types. Each type has its own symptoms, which are as follows.

1. Stress incontinence

Urine passes whenever the bladder is compressed. Pressure can come from exercising, coughing, laughing, sneezing or lifting heavy objects. This condition is usually experienced by women aged 45 years and over, or sometimes younger.

In women, pressure during childbirth also causes incontinence. While in men, pressure may be caused by inflammation or enlargement of the prostate gland.

2. Urge incontinence

This condition occurs when a person suddenly wants to pee (overactive bladder) and cannot be resisted. Most people who experience this type of urinary incontinence are people with diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke and multiple sclerosister.

The need to urinate usually occurs very often and suddenly, including when you fall asleep. You may wake up many times in the middle of the night in a condition called nocturia.

3. Overflow incontinence

This condition occurs when there is a small amount of urine leaking from a completely filled bladder. Urine will often come out or drip continuously because the bladder cannot empty completely. Usually, the cause is related to nervous disorders.

4. Functional incontinence

This type of incontinence is experienced by many elderly people or people with certain diseases with decreased bladder function. They may not be able to go to the toilet on time so they have already wet their beds.

When do you need to see a doctor?

Urinary incontinence is not dangerous, but it has a big impact on health and daily life. You should consult your doctor if the urge to urinate causes problems:

• interfere with daily activities,
• hinder your social activities,
• puts you at risk of falling due to rushing to the toilet, and
• accompanied by other symptoms of urinary tract disease.

Cause

What causes urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is not basically a disease, but a feature of a health problem. The causes can come from daily habits, pre-existing illnesses, or abnormalities in your physical condition.

In general, here are the things that can cause incontinence.

1. Temporary incontinence

Temporary incontinence is often caused by diuretic foods, drinks, medications, or supplements. Anything that is a diuretic will add to the water and salt levels in the urine, which can lead to more urine output.

Diuretics that may be around you include:

• caffeine, such as coffee and tea,
• alcoholic beverages,
• soft drink,
• chocolate,
• artificial sweeteners,
• spicy, sweet, and sour foods,
• drugs for high blood pressure and heart disease, as well
• large doses of vitamin C supplements.

Not only diuretics, temporary urinary incontinence can also be caused by general health problems such as:

• Urinary tract infection. The infection causes irritation of the bladder. The irritation triggers the urge to urinate and sometimes incontinence.
• Constipation. Stool that has accumulated in the rectum can put pressure on the bladder (cystitis), causing a feeling of wanting to urinate.

2. Long-term incontinence

Long-term incontinence is usually caused by illness or changes in physical conditions, such as:

• Increasing age. The storage function of the bladder decreases with age. In addition, the bladder contracts more frequently as you get older.
• Pregnancy. Hormonal changes and fetal development can put pressure on the bladder, leading to urinary incontinence.
• Labor. Vaginal delivery can weaken the bladder muscles. As a result, the bladder drops (cystocele) and causes urine to leak.
• Menopause. The decrease in the hormone estrogen causes the bladder wall to thin. This thinning makes it easier for urine to pass out of the bladder.
• Enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate (also known as BPH disease) will put pressure on the bladder, causing the urge to urinate.
• Prostate cancer. Prostate cancer, as well as the side effects of treatment, can put pressure on the bladder and cause incontinence.
• Surgical removal of the uterus. Surgical procedures increase the risk of pelvic muscle damage, which can lead to incontinence.
• Nervous disorders. Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, strokes, and spinal cord injuries can cause bladder nerve disorders.

Risk factors

Who is more at risk for urinary incontinence?

The risk of incontinence is greater in people with the following conditions.

• Female. Women are more at risk because of the pressure on the abdominal area due to body anatomy, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause.
• Elderly. As people age, the bladder and urethra muscles weaken further.
• Overweight. Excess weight puts pressure on the bladder muscles and the surrounding area, causing them to weaken.
• Suffering from certain diseases. The diseases most associated with incontinence are diabetes, prostate disorders and neurological diseases.

Diagnosis

How to diagnose urinary incontinence?

Diagnosis of incontinence problems begins by looking at your medical history. Your doctor needs to know what symptoms you are experiencing, how severe they are, and what impact they have on your daily life.

Doctors usually also ask about your lifestyle, diet, and drinking habits every day. If you regularly take diuretic drugs such as drugs for high blood pressure or heart disease, you should also tell your doctor.

After looking at your medical history, you will undergo a physical exam and a number of simple tests to diagnose the cause of your incontinence. To make the diagnosis more accurate, the doctor also performs tests to check the function of the bladder and urinary tract.

Common tests are:

• Cough test to detect the presence or absence of urine leakage.
• Ultrasound to see if the bladder can empty completely.
• Urodynamic tests to look at bladder and urinary tract function.
• Other tests to see if there is a hernia, a drooping bladder, or bowel problems.

Medicine and medication

How to treat urinary incontinence?

Some cases of incontinence are temporary and can be treated easily. However, there are also incontinence that have to be treated for a long time and involve many methods at once.

Launching the Urology Care Foundation page, here are various treatments for urinary incontinence:

1. Lifestyle changes

Doctors will usually suggest lifestyle changes first before choosing other methods of treatment. Lifestyle changes include:

• Avoiding foods or drinks that make symptoms worse.
• Adjust when and how much you need to drink water.
• Exercise regular urination.
• Perform pelvic muscle exercises and Kegel exercises.

2. Take drugs

If lifestyle changes are not enough, your doctor may suggest medication or hormone therapy. Anticholinergic drugs relax the bladder muscles, while estrogen hormone therapy helps maintain the structure of the bladder.

3. Operations

There are different types of surgery with different benefits. Although effective, surgery has bigger side effects than other methods. Consult with your doctor before you choose this method.

Home care

How to live healthy at home if you have urinary incontinence?

The following lifestyle changes and home remedies can help you deal with urinary incontinence.

• Properly performing pelvic exercises and Kegel exercises.
• Take medicines as directed.
• Undergo medication to avoid skin irritation.
• Use a clean towel.
• Dry skin naturally.
• Not washing the vagina frequently and soaking in water to reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.
• Use a skin protector such as petroleum jelly or coconut oil if you experience skin irritation from diaper use.
• Move carpets or furniture that could cause you to slip or trip when you go to the toilet.
• Turn on lights to light the way and reduce the risk of falling.

Urinary incontinence is a fairly common urinary system problem. Although harmless, the symptoms have a major impact on everyday life. Untreated incontinence can even reduce the quality of life of the sufferer.

Maintaining a healthy bladder can be a concern and a new healthy lifestyle for you so you don't get urinary incontinence.

There are many factors that can contribute to incontinence problems. The treatment also needs to be adjusted according to the cause. Therefore, if you feel you are experiencing symptoms of incontinence, consult your doctor for a solution.