Urinary incontinence is the unintentional passing of urine. It is a common problem and is thought to affect millions of people worldwide. Incontinence can have a negative effect on a woman’s physical, psychological and social well-being. Patients can see improvement with appropriate therapies even without taking medications. Incontinence is treatable and often curable at all ages.
What is urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence happens when pee (urine) leaks from your bladder in between bathroom trips. Clinically, it is described as the loss of bladder control — 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. It can occur at any age, but tends to be more common after the age of 50. It is more come in women than men.
What are the causes of female incontinence?
The cause of incontinence will depend on the type of incontinence. Pregnancy and childbirth, menopause, and the structure of the female urinary tract account for this difference. Older women, more often than younger women, experience incontinence.
Certain things can increase the chances of urinary incontinence developing, including:
• pregnancy and vaginal birth
• obesity
• a family history of incontinence
• increasing age – although incontinence is not an inevitable part of ageing
What are the symptoms of incontinence?
Many people experience occasional, minor leaks of urine. Others may lose small to moderate amounts of urine more frequently. Clinicians have described several types of urinary incontinence which include the following:
• Stress incontinence. Urine leaks when you exert pressure on your bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting something 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.
How is female incontinence diagnosed?
It is very important to identify the origins of urinary incontinence. Diagnosis begins with a detailed medical history. The pattern and nature of the leakage will help determine the type of incontinence. A physical examination is also important in coming to a diagnosis. Several investigations will be arranged to help confirm the diagnosis. Creating a urination diary is a simple and informative task. The patient is given a pan that fits across a toilet seat. The date, time and quantity of urine expressed are recorded for several days to a week.
How is female incontinence treated?
Acute urinary incontinence associated with infections, kidney stones or medication side effects often resolve when the primary problem is successfully treated.
Chronic incontinence can originate from a variety of circumstances. The nature and mix of therapeutic measures are tailored to the individual patient.
Your doctor might ask you to make simple lifestyle changes (such as losing weight and cutting down on caffeine and alcohol), or take medicine, or getting surgery.
Bladder training, pelvic floor exercises and various medications have worked in several patients with urinary incontinence. Many individuals are too embarrassed to see their doctor and as a result do not get appropriate treatment.
Preventing urinary incontinence
It is not always possible to prevent urinary incontinence, but there are some steps you can take that may help reduce the chance of it developing. These include:
• controlling your weight
• avoiding or cutting down on alcohol
• keeping fit – in particular, ensuring that your pelvic floor muscles are strong
Conclusion
Urinary incontinence in females is very common, but often women are too embarrassed to bring up this symptom with their doctor – and suffer as a result. Urinary incontinence is the unintentional passing of urine. This is a symptom that requires evaluation of possible cause (s). Once the diagnosis is confirmed there are several treatment options available. In most cases the symptom can be successfully controlled. If you have urinary incontinence discuss this with your doctor.
Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-six years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5928).
