Incontinence is the deficiency of voluntary control over urination. The urinary system consists of kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra, which perform numerous tasks such as; filtering, storing, and removing all the unwanted substances from the body. It is considered a wildly common illness, the uncontrollable discharge of urine caused by the loss of bladder control. Moreover, it is present in the aged population, specifically females who have either experienced menopause or had just given birth.
Possible causes of Incontinence
There are numerous causes of this disorder, which can vary from person to person. It can be caused by a chronic disease leading to a long-term issue. The causes include:
- (UTIs) urinary tract infection is referred to as a short-term cause of incontinence. However, this infection is present inside an individual’s urinary tract, mainly the bladder, urethra, and kidneys. The UTIs cause an urgency to urinate often. UTIs can be treated by timely diagnosis and proper medication.
- During the pregnancy phase, the extension of the uterus puts excessive pressure on the bladder. Experiencing incontinence during pregnancy can be limited and would go away after the pregnancy ends.
- The intake of several medications and beverages can cause incontinence. This disorder can be occurred due to side effects of drugs such as antidepressants and diuretics. Moreover, the excessive intake of certain fluids like alcohol, caffeinated drinks, and some beverages increases the need to urinate frequently. To prevent such illness, you must decrease the frequency of intake of the said fluid and beverages.
- Chronic constipation leads the bladder to be unable to control urination.
- The problem in the pelvic floor muscles, the organs, and the urination system malfunction increases the urinary incontinence.
- If an individual encounters a stroke, it affects the body muscles and the urinary system, leading to incontinence.
- Patients with diabetes are most likely to be affected by this order. Moreover, peripheral neuropathy can affect the bladder to malfunction.
- The fluctuation of hormone quantity present in the body, known as menopause, can cause incontinence.
Symptoms of Incontinence
The typical indication of incontinence includes the uncontrollable discharge of urine. The symptoms can vary from individual to individual. An individual can experience it while exercising, coughing, laughing, and sneezing. Secondly, when the individual has an urge to urinate, it becomes difficult to reach the toilet on time. Likewise, waking up frequently in the middle of the night with an urgency to urinate.
Diagnosis of Incontinence
There are several examinations that a patient would have to go through to diagnose incontinence. Some of them are:
- A physical test can be conducted for the diagnosis. The doctor would look at the biological reasons that could lead to incontinence during the trial. Moreover, the doctor may ask females to perform a pelvic test and advise males to perform a calculation test for the prostate.
- The physician can also prescribe a urine sample to identify any infection or blood present in the urine. This test is also known as urinalysis.
- The physician can also advise an ultrasound depending on the patient’s condition. An ultrasound is an examination that utilizes sound waves to take a picture of an individual’s internal organs. This test would allow the consultant to view the bladder’s contents using a non-invasive way.
- The doctor can also advise urodynamic testing, which contains numerous exams to check the controlling capacity of the bladder. This test involves the insertion of a tube to fill the bladder up with liquid to check the actual holding of the bladder.
- A pad test can also be performed to check the leaked urine and its quantity.
Prevention of Incontinence
To prevent urinary incontinence, an individual must maintain a healthy weight and perform pelvic floor exercises. The intake of caffeine, acidic food, and alcohol must also be reduced. Moreover, smoking and the input of fiber can help in preventing this disorder.
References:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20352808 retrieved on April 23, 2022.
- https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/u/urinary-incontinence retrieved on April 23, 2022.
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/165408#disclaimer retrieved on April 23, 2022.
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/ retrieved on April 23, 2022.
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17596-urinary-incontinence#symptoms-and-causes retrieved on April 23, 2022.
- https://www.everydayhealth.com/urinary-incontinence/guide/ retrieved on April 23, 2022.
