Why you experience urinary incontinence

Some people experience occasional loss of bladder control. They experience minor or moderate leaks of urine when they cough or sneeze and when they have sudden urge to go to the toilet, among others. Mrs Salima is in her late fifties. She said while she is a lot better now, she used to experience a […]

Some people experience occasional loss of bladder control. They experience minor or moderate leaks of urine when they cough or sneeze and when they have sudden urge to go to the toilet, among others.

Mrs Salima is in her late fifties. She said while she is a lot better now, she used to experience a sudden and strong urge to urinate especially at night , and often urinates or leaks urine before she gets to the toilet.

She added that she began to experience it more frequently a few years ago and sometimes experience it several times in a night.

Maria, 23, on her part said she often experiences involuntary leaks of urine that sometimes left noticeable stain on her clothes whenever she took a lot of water or sugary drinks. “I often feel very embarrassed with the condition, and try to reduce my fluid intake whenever I am going out of the house,” she explained.

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine, said a physician, Dr. Eche Ugochukwu. He said it means a person urinates when he/she does not want to. “This is as a result of loss or weakened control over the urinary sphincter and pelvic floor muscles, which help to control urination,” he added.

Dr Ugochukwu, who is a general medical practitioner at the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, said the causes of urinary incontinence can be grouped into two; temporary urinary incontinence and persistent urinary incontinence.

Temporary Urinary Incontinence

This caused by “certain drinks, foods and medications like alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, artificial sweeteners, chocolates, chilli peppers, foods high in spice and sugar, heart and blood pressure medications, sedatives, muscle relaxants, and large doses of Vitamin C,” said Dr Ugochukwu.

He said it can also be caused by easily treatable medical conditions like urinary tract infections and constipation.

Persistent Urinary Incontinence

The medical expert said the second type – persistent urinary incontinence – is caused by pregnancy, childbirth, aging, menopause, hysterectomy, enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, obstruction, and neurological disorders.

He said other risk factors that will increase one’s chances of having urinary incontinence are; Gender (more in females than males), age (more in older people), being overweight, smoking, family history, other diseases (neurological diseases or diabetes).

Also, experts at Mayo Clinic said though urinary incontinence occurs often as people get older, it isn’t an inevitable consequence of aging.

They said the symptoms of urinary incontinence can be grouped into five:

-Urge incontinence – A sudden, intense urge to urinate often, including throughout the night. It can be caused by a minor condition such as infection or a more severe condition like neurological disorder and diabetes.

-Stress incontinence – Urine leaks when you exert pressure on your bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing or exercising.

-Functional incontinence – A physical or mental impairment that keeps you from making it to the toilet in time.

-Overflow incontinence – You experience frequent or constant dribbling of urine, due to a bladder that doesn’t empty completely.

– Mixed incontinence – You experience more than one type of urinary incontinence.

To help reduce your risk of urinary incontinence, Dr Ugochukwu advises the following:

– Maintain a healthy weight.

– Practice pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, to help strengthen the urinary sphincter and pelvic floor muscles (the muscles that help control urination).

– Avoid bladder irritants, such as caffeine, alcohol and acidic foods.

– Eat more fiber, which can prevent constipation, a cause of urinary incontinence.

– Don’t smoke, or seek help to quit smoking.

Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type of incontinence, its severity and the underlying cause, said Dr Ugochukwu. A combination of treatments may be needed.

He said: “If an underlying condition is causing your symptoms, your doctor will first treat that condition.

These are possible treatment plans your doctor will opt for, depending on his assessment.

– Behavioral techniques like; bladder training, double voiding, fluid and diet management.

– Pelvic floor muscle exercises.

– Electrical stimulation.

– Medications.

– Medical devices; urethral insert, pessary.

– Surgery.

– Interventional therapies; botox, bulking material injections, and nerve stimulators.

– Absorbent pads and catheters.

Dr Ugochukwu stressed that urinary incontinence is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying medical condition, adding that it is a problem suffered by many persons. “Though it is underreported, as many people who experience this barely report what they are going through, they may be embarrassed, or they may think nothing can be done. So they suffer in silence. However, it can be managed or treated. Talk to your doctor and find out what treatment is best for you,” he advised.