Urinary incontinence is a condition characterized by the involuntary loss of urine. By definition, this loss must be noticeable and of such magnitude as to cause psychophysical discomfort capable of having a concrete impact on the patient's quality of life. Involuntary urinary incontinence is usually initially perceived as simple discomfort, but in the long term, the patient gradually begins to isolate himself. It all begins with avoidance of unfamiliar places where there is uncertainty about the availability of toilets, often with limiting social relationships due to fear of smelling urine, or with limiting or avoiding sexual intercourse.
Although urinary incontinence itself is not dangerous to health (in rare cases it can be a symptom of serious diseases), it is nevertheless safe to say that it significantly reduces the quality of life. Timely diagnosis of this disorder allows to significantly reduce discomfort, and in many cases, effectively eliminate it.
How is urinary incontinence classified?
The bladder acts as a reservoir, the function of which is to collect urine until it can be eliminated. Usually, a person feels the urge to urinate, holds the urine until he finds a toilet. A patient suffering from urinary incontinence is unable to follow the sequence of these steps. Depending on the type of incontinence, it can be classified as follows:
• stress urinary incontinence, when urine loss occurs during physical exertion that increases pressure in the abdominal cavity;
• Urge urinary incontinence, if urine loss occurs with a sudden and urgent desire to urinate;
• mixed urinary incontinence, which can occur both with effort and with imperative urges.
These forms are the most common, but there are others, although rarer: enuresis ; constant dripping urinary incontinence; urinary incontinence due to overflow of the bladder; it is also possible that leakage occurs immediately after the end of urination.
Why do women mostly suffer from urinary incontinence?
The disorder mainly affects elderly people. Let us now try to shed light on the aspects and factors that determine the high percentage of cases of urinary incontinence among women. They, Certainly partly related to female anatomy, but conditions that predispose to the disorder include: childbirth; menopause, when a drop in estrogen levels contributes to a decrease in pelvic tone; chronic constipation and recurrent urinary tract infections (to which women are more prone)
Some medications affect the condition, especially antidepressants, antipsychotics , anticholinergics, diuretics , analgesics, central narcotics, sedatives. To a lesser extent, this applies to some foods, such as citrus fruits, vinegar, tomatoes, drinks containing caffeine and carbonated drinks.
What to do if you have urinary incontinence?
The medications recommended by a urologist for urge urinary incontinence and overactive bladder syndrome belong to the class of anticholinergics. These medications act during the filling phase of the bladder, preventing its contractions. For the treatment of moderate stress urinary incontinence, medications from the group of norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibitors (better known as antidepressants) are indicated.
Surgery should be considered the first line of treatment, but the decision to perform it should be made after a thorough diagnostic examination . The rehabilitation aspect is very important, the goal of which is to restore the person’s ability to control urinary retention. This is a process that should be personalized and consists of training the muscles of the perineum, that is, the area between the anus and the vagina, with exercises that are also recommended in the postpartum period. In particular, physiotherapy uses both active and passive exercises that affect the pelvic floor muscles.
The Bogolyuby Medical Center uses the most advanced and modern technique using a special implant mesh that supports the bladder and provides the best results, prevents incontinence and does not require separate rehabilitation.
