Have you ever found yourself urinating in your underpants before you could get to the bathroom? Ever wonder whether it's simply natural or could be brought on by a disease? Check out this article on "What is Urinary Incontinence?" to learn more.
Urinary incontinence is the uncontrollable leakage of urine, it is a symptom of many different illnesses rather than a disease. It is not inherited nor a natural part of becoming old. Many people hide this from others out of embarrassment or because they think there is nothing, they can do about it. Thus, they endure their suffering in silence. Normally, the urinary function is controlled by both the brain and the bladder. The bladder is held in place by the muscles in the bottom portion of the pelvis, and the bladder's smooth muscle is normally at rest, as a result, the bladder can store the urine. The bladder's neck (end) is locked up tight and the urethra, a tube that conveys urine from the body is enclosed by the sphincter muscles, thus, urine doesn't leak when the urethra is kept closed by the sphincter muscles. The bladder receives a signal from the brain when you are ready to urinate and sphincters open when the bladder contracts because the contraction of the bladder muscles pulls the urine out through the urethra.
Various forms of incontinence exist, and the most typical form of bladder control issue in younger and middle-aged women is the Stress incontinence. It is when pressure is applied to the bladder, such as during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy things. Another kind is the Urge incontinence, it is the inability to keep pee in the bladder long enough to reach the bathroom when a person has an urgent need to urinate. People who have diabetes, alzheimer's disease, parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke may experience urge incontinence. In addition, when small amounts of pee leak from an overflowing bladder, it is called as overflow incontinence. This kind of incontinence can also be caused on by spinal cord injury. Moreover, despite having normal bladder control, a functional incontinence affects many older persons. Due to arthritis or other conditions that make it difficult to move fast, they just struggle to go to the bathroom.
Potential reasons for urinary incontinence may include Urinary tract infections (UTIs), consumption of excessive diuretics, pregnancy and childbirth, tumors anywhere in the urinary tract, nerve damage, and medications. You can't always avoid urinary incontinence, but maintaining a healthy weight, exercising your pelvic floor, staying away from bladder irritants like coffee, alcohol, and acidic foods, eating more fiber to prevent constipation, which can lead to urine incontinence, and not smoking are all ways to help lower your risk.
PDO I – Ayesa Gay A. Bejerano, RND
References:
What is urinary incontinence?
https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/u/urinary-incontinence
Urinary Incontinence in Older Adults
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/urinary-incontinence-older-adults
Urinary Incontinence
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20352808