Incontinence is a medical condition where a person loses control over the function of urination (urine) or defecation (bowel movements). This means that a person cannot control when and where they pass urine or feces. There are many factors that cause urinary incontinence and how to treat it.
Some Causes of Urinary Incontinence
Incontinence can occur in both women and men in varying degrees of severity, from mild to severe. There are various causes that can lead to urinary incontinence, and this condition can affect people of all ages. Some common causes of urinary incontinence include:
Weak Pelvic Muscles
Strong pelvic muscles are required to control the flow of urine. If these muscles weaken for various reasons such as aging, pregnancy, or childbirth, then a person can experience urinary incontinence.
Hormone Deficiency
Decreased levels of the hormone estrogen in women during menopause can result in decreased elasticity of muscle tissue and collagen in the urinary tract, which can increase the risk of urinary incontinence.
Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can irritate the bladder and cause urgent urge to urinate, which may be difficult to control.
Increased Abdominal Pressure
High abdominal pressure, such as that which occurs during coughing, sneezing, laughing, or heavy lifting, can cause stress urinary incontinence. This is common in women after childbirth.
Neurological Disease
Disorders of the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, spinal cord injury, or Parkinson's disease, can disrupt the signals between the brain and bladder, causing urinary incontinence.
Inability of the Bladder to Retain
An overactive bladder or a bladder that cannot hold much urine can cause urgency urinary incontinence.
Medications
Some medications, such as diuretics, high blood pressure medications, or certain drugs, can cause urinary incontinence as a side effect.
Bladder Inflammation
Inflammation of the bladder or an irritable bladder can cause symptoms such as urgency and urinary incontinence.
Overweight
Being overweight or obese can increase pressure on the bladder and urinary tract, which can lead to urinary incontinence.
Caffeine and Alcohol Consumption
Caffeine and alcohol can irritate the bladder and cause increased frequency of urination.
This condition can vary for each individual, and treatment will vary depending on the cause and severity. If you are experiencing symptoms of urinary incontinence, consult a healthcare professional for evaluation and appropriate treatment.
How to Manage Urinary Incontinence
Coping with urinary incontinence depends on the cause and severity. Here are some common steps that can help with urinary incontinence:
Consultation with a Health Professional
If you are experiencing urinary incontinence, an important first step is to consult a doctor or healthcare professional. They will conduct an evaluation and help determine the cause.
Pelvic Muscle Exercises
Pelvic muscle exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, can help strengthen the muscles that control urine flow. This is an effective method to treat stress and urgency urinary incontinence.
Lifestyle Changes
Some lifestyle changes can help reduce the symptoms of urinary incontinence, such as avoiding caffeine and alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and avoiding spicy or fatty foods.
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist or trained professional can assist in developing a customized exercise program designed to address urinary incontinence.
Medications
Doctors may prescribe certain medications that help with urinary incontinence, especially in cases of urgency urinary incontinence.
Medical Treatment
If urinary incontinence is caused by certain medical conditions, such as a urinary tract infection or neurological disease, medical treatment will be required to address the condition.
Surgical Treatment
In some more severe cases or when other treatments are ineffective, doctors may recommend surgical procedures such as bladder slings to treat urinary incontinence.
Use of Diapers
In severe cases of urinary incontinence or at certain stages in treatment, adult diapers or other protection may be used to manage leakage.
Bladder Management Techniques
This involves setting up a regular urination schedule to avoid urgency and leakage. This method is useful for managing urgency urinary incontinence.
Biofeedback
This is a technique used to help individuals understand and control their pelvic muscle function.
It is important to speak with your healthcare professional before attempting any treatment method for urinary incontinence. Effective treatment will largely depend on the cause and severity of the condition, so a medical evaluation is an important step to planning appropriate treatment.
These are the causes of incontinence and how to treat it. While experiencing urinary incontinence, patients can use adult diapers to help contain fluids while on the move. One of the recommended adult diapers is Parenty.
Parenty has a soft surface and 3D structure to reduce friction between the diaper and the skin that triggers skin irritation. It also has a 3D leak-proof feature that reduces the risk of leakage from all sides. Parenty has two types of diapers, namely pants and adhesive with sizes M, L and XXL. Parenty adult diapers can be purchased offline and online. (Aq/MKK)
