Incontinence – What It Is and How to Treat It
What is urinary incontinence? Simply put, it is a medical condition characterized by a loss of bladder control, which may be caused by coughing or sneezing. The condition is also accompanied by uncontrollable urges to go to the bathroom to urinate at any time of the day. There are five basic types of this condition, namely: Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), Urgency Urinary Incontinence and Overactive Bladder (OAB), Mixed Incontinence, Chronic Retention of Urine, and Fecal Incontinence.
SUI is caused by weak pelvic floor muscles or deficiencies in the urethral sphincter, which causes your bladder to leak when you exercise, cough, sneeze, laugh, or act in any way that puts pressure on your bladder. OAB refers to the urgent need to urinate and the inability to get to the toilet in time. This is caused by damage to the nerve passages connecting your bladder to your brain, which leads to sudden bladder contractions that you cannot consciously inhibit. The third type of incontinence carries the symptoms of both SUI and OAB, with the symptoms of one type often more severe than the other.
The fourth type of this condition is characterized by leakage that usually occurs when the amount of urine your body produces exceeds the holding capacity of your bladder. This can result from medical conditions like diabetes, pelvic trauma, enlarged prostate, and spinal cord injuries, among others. Finally, fecal incontinence refers to the inability to control the passage of gas and stool. This condition can either be partial where you lose only a small amount of waste, or complete where you really cannot control bowel movement.
The good news is that regardless of what type of incontinence you suffer from and regardless of what is causing it, there are things you can do to help deal with the problem. Performing the Kegel exercises is among the best ways to address this problem because they help strengthen your pelvic muscles, which in turn strengthens the muscles around your bladder. You should also train your bladder by holding off going to the toilet when the urge comes. Wait for about 5-10 minutes before going and then gradually increase the amount of time that you wait.
Making regular bathroom trips is also a big help, as it trains your bladder to work only at particular times of the day. You would also do well to observe which food or beverages usually irritate your bladder and then avoid these foods and drinks as much as possible. Alcohol and caffeine are generally known to be bladder irritants, so it is definitely a good idea to avoid them. Losing weight can also help you fight the condition. If the problem is not too severe, it is advisable to use sanitary napkins or adult diapers to avoid embarrassment. Of course, what is most important is that you talk to your doctor as regards medication and treatment. While incontinence is indeed a serious problem, it does not have to curtail your activities or worse, rule your life.
