Do you know a high percentage of women suffer from the issues of urinary incontinence and the men’s do suffer too. Have you been wondering why you leak when you sneeze cough etc. or do you have urgency issue which make you vulnerable to urinary leakages! Perhaps this issue affects your love one’s or family and friends. In today’s newsletter we will be sharing with you some important information’s, such as types of incontinence, causes and possible how to effectively manage urinary incontinence.
Urinary incontinence
The loss of bladder control — is a common and often embarrassing problem. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that is so sudden and strong you do not get to a toilet in time.
Though it occurs more often as people get older, urinary incontinence is not an inevitable consequence of aging. If urinary incontinence affects your daily activities, do not hesitate to see your doctor. For most people, simple lifestyle changes or medical treatment can ease discomfort or stop urinary incontinence.
Symptoms
Many people experience occasional, minor leaks of urine. Others may lose small to moderate amounts of urine more frequently.
Types of urinary incontinence include:
- Stress incontinence. Urine leaks when you cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise or lift a heavy.
- Urge incontinence. You have a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. You may need to urinate often, including throughout the night. Urge incontinence may be caused by a minor condition, such as infection, or a more-severe condition such as a neurologic disorder or diabetes.
- Overflow incontinence. You experience frequent or constant dribbling of urine due to a bladder that does not empty completely.
- Functional incontinence. A physical or mental impairment keeps you from making it to the toilet in time. For example, if you have severe arthritis, you may not be able to unbutton your pants quickly enough.
- Mixed incontinence. You experience more than one type of urinary incontinence.
Causes of Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is not a disease, it is a symptom. It can be caused by everyday habits, underlying medical conditions or physical problems. A thorough evaluation by your doctor can help determine what is behind your incontinence.
Temporary urinary incontinence
Certain drinks, foods and medications may act as diuretics — stimulating your bladder and increasing your volume of urine. They include:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Carbonated drinks and sparkling water
- Artificial sweeteners
- Chocolate
- Chili peppers
- Foods that are high in spice, sugar or acid, especially citrus fruits
- Heart and blood pressure medications, sedatives, and muscle relaxants
Urinary incontinence may also be caused by an easily treatable medical condition, such as:
- Urinary tract infection. Infections can irritate your bladder, causing you to have strong urges to urinate, and sometimes incontinence.
- The rectum is located near the bladder and shares many of the same nerves. Hard, compacted stool in your rectum causes these nerves to be overactive and increase urinary frequency.
Other causes include:
Pregnancy, Childbirth, Age, Surgery, Medication, Menopause, Enlarge Prostate, Prostate Cancer, Obstruction and Neurological Disorder.
Factors that increase your risk of developing urinary incontinence include:
- Women are more likely to have stress incontinence. Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and normal female anatomy account for this difference. However, men with prostate gland problems are at increased risk of urge and overflow incontinence.
- As you get older, the muscles in your bladder and urethra lose some of their strength. Changes with age reduce how much your bladder can hold and increase the chances of involuntary urine release.
- Being overweight.Extra weight increases pressure on your bladder and surrounding muscles, which weakens them and allows urine to leak out when you cough or sneeze.
- Tobacco use may increase your risk of urinary incontinence.
- Family history.If a close family member has urinary incontinence, especially urge incontinence, your risk of developing the condition is higher.
- Other diseases.Neurological disease or diabetes may increase your risk
Urinary incontinence is not always preventable. However, to help decrease your risk:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Practice pelvic floor exercises
- Avoid bladder irritants, such as caffeine, alcohol, and acidic foods
- Eat more fibre, which can prevent constipation, a cause of urinary incontinence
- Do not smoke, or seek help to quit smoking