FAQs On Urinary Incontinence

Q- What is urinary incontinence

Ans- Urinary incontinence is the inability to hold urine leading to involuntary loss of urine. The urine loss can range from slight leakage of urine to severe frequent wetting. This condition severely affects quality of life by interfering with work, travel, social recreation and sexual activities.

 

Q- What is the incidence of of urinary incontinence

Ans- At least 10% of people over the age of 65 years have urinary incontinence. According to World Health Organisation estimates, there are 200 million patients worldwide with symptoms of male or female urinary incontinence. However, as this condition is associated with shame, embarrassment and silence, the exact figure is not known.

 

Q- Is urinary incontinence an inevitable part of aging

Ans- With aging, the urge to urinate may occur more frequently and be harder to control: however, incontinence can affect men and women of all ages and is not a normal response to aging.

 

Q- Is the incidence of urinary incontinence similar in men and women

Ans- No, women experience incontinence two times more often than men. Pregnancy and child-birth, menopause and the structure of the female urinary tract account for this difference. However, both women and men can become incontinent from stroke, multiple sclerosis and other physical problems associated with old age.

Q- What are the risk fators for urinary incontinence

Ans- Risk factors for urinary incontinence vary, but include:

·         Pregnancy

·         Childbirth

·         Obesity

·         Menopause

·         Cigarette smoking

·         Prostate enlargement and/or surgery

·         Hysterectomy

·         Radiation therapy to the pelvis

·         Diabetes

·         Parkinson's disease

·         Back injury

·         Cerebral vascular accident

·         Dementia.

 

 

Q- Are there different types of urinary incontinence

Ans- There are three basic types of urinary incontinence :

·         Urge incontinence

·         Stress incontinence

·         Overflow bladder

 

 

Q- What is urge incontinence

Ans- Urge incontinence or detrusor over activity is a common problem that increases in frequency and severity with advancing age. In this condition, the patient often loses urine for no apparent reasons while suddenly feeling the need or urge to urinate. In urge incontinence, the bladder involuntarily empties during sleep, after drinking a small amount of water, or while touching water or even when hearing it run (as when someone else is taking a shower or washing dishes).

 

Q- What causes urge incontinence

Ans- The most common cause of urge incontinence is inappropriate and involuntary bladder contractions. These involuntary contractions may occur because of inflammation or irritation within the bladder or when certain neurological diseases impair control of bladder contractions.

·         Urinary tract infections

·         Cancer

·         Parkinson's disease

·         Alzheimer's disease

·         Certain drugs such as hypnotics or narcotics

·         Injury (such as those occurring during surgery)

·         Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Urge incontinence can also occur when mobility is impaired (for example, in patients with arthritis), making it difficult for patients to get to the bathroom in time. This condition is sometimes referred to mass "functional" incontinence.

 

Q- What causes stress incontinence

Ans- Physical changes resulting from pregnancy, childbirth and menopause are common causes of stress incontinence. It is the most common form of incontinence in women and is treatable. Certain muscles, known as the "pelvic floor muscles" support the bladder. If these muscles weaken, the bladder can move downward, pushing slightly out of the bottom of the pelvis toward the vagina. This prevents muscles that ordinarily force the urethra shut from squeezing as tightly as they should. As a result, urine can leak into the urethra during moments of physical stress. Stress incontinence also occurs if the muscles that do the squeezing weaken. Stress incontinence can worsen during the week before menstrual period. At that time, lowered estrogen levels might lead to lower muscular pressure around the urethra, increasing chances of leakage. The incidence of stress incontinence increases following menopause. Stress incontinence can also occur as a result of drugs, Surgical trauma or radiation damage.

 

Q- Are there any other types of incontinence

Ans- When stress and urge incontinence occur together, it is sometimes referred to as "mixed incontinence". This is common in women. "Transient" or temporary incontinence can be caused by medications, urinary tract infections, mental impairment, restricted mobility and severe constipation, which can push against the urinary tract and obstruct outflow.

 

Q- Is there any treatment of urinary incontinence

Ans- Most types of urinary incontinence can be effectively treated and the symptoms improved the type of incontinence present is determined. In some patients, incontinence is often improved by weight loss. Smokers who have a chronic cough have fewer problems when they stop smoking (and stop coughing). Some common drugs can also aggravate the situation.