Urinary incontinence is more common than we presume it to be. It has affected over one-third of our local population, especially women. Even though the problem is quite common, it does become embarrassing and tends to hold you back in your day-to-day life.
Urinary incontinence refers to loss of control over your bladder, resulting in involuntary urine leakage and/or a frequent urge to urinate due to weakened/lost sphincter muscle control. This may be triggered by various factors, while the susceptibility increases with age.
You can be further guided in this domain by a Urologist in Islamabad.
CAUSES AND TYPES
The common causes for incontinence are closely associated with its types.
Stress Incontinence
This refers to leakage of urine during physical activity or simple activities like coughing or laughing. Following are the factors that contribute to its development:
- Aging
- Obesity
- Hysterectomy
- Menopause
- Pregnancy and childbirth
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Urge incontinence
It is the frequent urge to urinate, often accompanied by irresistible intensity due to:
- Cystitis
- Neurological conditions
- Enlarged prostate
Overflow incontinence
The bladder is incapable of emptying itself causing involuntary leakage and/or frequent urination. It occurs due to bladder obstruction caused by:
- Enlarged prostate
- Urinary stones
- Tumor
- Constipation
- Urinary incontinence surgery
Total Incontinence
The Bladder becomes incapable of storing urine possible as a result of:
- Congenital anatomical defect
- Spinal cord injury that results in neuronal impairment
- Fistula
Functional incontinence
This occurs when a person can identify their need to urinate followed by the inability to do so, usually due to impaired mobility.
- Confusion
- Dementia
- Poor eyesight
- Poor mobility
- Poor dexterity
- Anxiety, depression, mental health issues, and extreme anger
Some other causes include alcohol consumption and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Moreover, obesity and smoking along with prostate diseases are some of the most common risk factors that contribute to the development of urinary incontinence.
Incontinence can occur in almost everyone, however, certain factors are attributable as the primary risk factors. The most common one is age, as with time, your sphincter muscles lose their strength, affecting voluntary control over the bladder. Researches have proven that women are highly susceptible to stress incontinence especially during and post their pregnancy period. Similarly, men with prostate gland disorders particularly are also at a greater risk. This condition also carries a genetic disposition.
Prevention
Incontinence is a common problem with easy preventative measures that can also allow you to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- A person needs to maintain a healthy lifestyle as obesity adds to the risk.
- Do exercises for pelvic strength, especially ones directed towards the pelvic floor.
- Avoid excessive consumption of caffeinated products daily as they can irritate your bladder.
- Quit smoking.
Complications
Urinary Tract Infections
UTI and incontinence are more correlated than we assume them to be, and hence one of them can increase the risk of the other’s occurrence.
Skin Problems
Excessive urination and wet skin from urine leakage may cause skin rashes, infections, and sores to occur among people.
Bad Quality of Life
Urinary incontinence tends to make people feel embarrassed affecting their day-to-day lives, holding them back from a lot of things. It may have a drastic impact on their relationships along with their social or work life.
If this is becoming a recurring problem, then you should reach out to the Best Urologist in Lahore.
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