Urinary incontinence is the inability to stop the leakage of urine. Incontinence can be embarrassing in that it interferes with a normal, fulfilling life. But there are several ways to control it. This article explains the different types of incontinence along with treatment and treatment options.
Incontinence is common
Incontinence can deprive you of sleep and exhaust you. It can make traveling uncomfortable and prevent you from enjoying physical activity. Despite these frustrations, less than half of people with incontinence seek help. Many feel too embarrassed, while others are unaware that help is available.
Incontinence is treatable
These may include certain medications, exercise, and other therapies to help strengthen muscles, procedures to help stop the leak, or surgery. Incontinence can be controlled and often cured.
Types of incontinence
You can only have one type. All people with incontinence have problems with bladder control.
People with URGENCY INCONTINENCE or OVERBLADDER may:
o Wet if they don't get to the bathroom right away
o Get up during the night to urinate
o, Go to the bathroom at least every two hours
o, Feel like they have a weak bladder. Every drink of coffee, cola, or alcohol seems to cause them to urinate a disproportionate amount of what they actually drink
o Wet the bed at night
People with STRESS INCONTINENCE can:
o Leakage of urine when they cough, sneeze, or laugh
o Go to the bathroom more often to avoid accidents
o Avoid exercise for fear of causing leaks
o Sleep through the night but leak when you get out of bed in the morning
o Sometimes urine leaks when they get up from a chair
People with FLOW INCONTINENCE may:
o Get up during the night to urinate
o Pass urine for a long time and have a weak, dripping stream without force
o Urinate a small amount and do not feel completely empty afterward
o Drip urine throughout the day
o You feel the urge to urinate, but sometimes you can't
When you are a continent
Continence means you are in control of your bladder. You can hold your urine or pass it as you choose. For example, you may find yourself in a situation where it is not convenient to go to the bathroom. Even if your brain gets a message that your bladder is filling and you feel the urge to urinate, you can tell your system to wait until it's appropriate to urinate.
URINARY RETENTION
1. The brain receives a signal that the bladder is full and you feel the urge to urinate
2. The spinal cord sends a message from the brain telling the external sphincter to contract
3. The external sphincter retracts and remains closed
4. This signals the bladder to relax and the bladder neck to remain closed. The urge to urinate subsides
DISCHARGE OF URINE
1. The brain receives a signal that the bladder is full and you feel the urge to urinate
2. The spinal cord sends a message from the brain telling the external sphincter to relax
3. The external sphincter relaxes and opens
4. This signals the bladder to contract and expel urine, and the bladder neck opens, allowing urine to enter the urethra
When you are incontinent
Incontinence means loss of bladder control. It occurs when some part of the urinary system is not working. Both men and women can develop overactive bladder, stress incontinence, overflow incontinence, or mixed incontinence. Women are more likely to develop incontinence than men because their internal organs are structured to allow childbirth. Pregnancy, childbirth, and reduced levels of the female hormone estrogen can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, allowing organs such as the bladder, urethra, and uterus to slip out of place (prolapse). This can cause incontinence and a feeling of pressure or something slipping. Men have fewer problems with incontinence because the shape of the male urinary tract and the longer urethra offer more support.
Urge incontinence and overactive bladder
HEALTH HISTORY
Your medical history may show that you have experienced persistent and extreme urges, even after urinating. You may have wet the bed as a child, as an overactive bladder can appear in childhood, then reappear in adulthood. Your history may include previous pelvic surgery, a back problem, nerve problems, or infections.
.jpg)
0 Comments