Loss of control on the bladder leading to urine leakage is called Urinary Incontinence. It is one of the most common problems among men and women and may occur at any age. Urinary incontinence can affect the patient’s emotional, psychological, and social life as they feel embarrassed and are afraid to go in the public and do normal day-to-day activities.

The severity of urinary incontinence ranges from urine leakage while sneezing or coughing to having an extremely strong urge to urinate, which is so sudden that you don’t get the time to go to the toilet.

Although it is believed that urinary incontinence is an old age problem, it can happen at any time. If you are suffering from the issue, it is suggested to consult the doctor as soon as possible to get the right treatment at the right time.

What are the types of urinary incontinence?

Depending upon the severity and the reason for urine leakage, the urinary incontinence is classified into the following types-

• Stress incontinence - It occurs when you do certain activities that exert pressure on the bladder like coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting something heavy, or exercising.
• Urge incontinence - When there is a strong urge to urinate, and it occurs so suddenly that you do not get the time to go to the toilet, leading to involuntary pass of urine. Also, you may need to visit the toilet throughout the night to pass the urine. Some of the common reasons for urge incontinence are infection, diabetes, or more severe conditions like neurological disorders.
• Overflow incontinence - If there is constant dribbling of urine, it is called overflow incontinence. In this condition, the bladder doesn’t empty completely that leads to frequent leakage.
• Functional incontinence - It happens when you have some physical impairment that prevents you from going to the toilet and unbuttons your pants to urinate. For instance, such a situation may arise if you have severe arthritis.
• Mixed incontinence - When you experience more than one type of urinary incontinence, as mentioned below, it comes under mixed incontinence.

When to visit the doctor?

Urinary incontinence may indicate an underlying problem. It makes life very uncomfortable and affects the daily routine. It limits social restrictions as well. For old age people, a rush to the toilet probes a risk of falls. Therefore, you should consult your doctor immediately.

What causes urinary incontinence?

There are different reasons for urinary incontinence that can be caused by underlying medical conditions or physical problems. The doctor needs to examine you properly to know the correct reason and give the right treatment.

Urinary incontinence could be temporary and may occur due to the consumption of certain foods, drinks, or medications that stimulate the bladder and increase the volume of urine. These are alcohol, caffeine, carbonated drinks, chocolates, etc. Eating foods that are very spicy, sweet, or acidic can also stimulate the bladder indirectly.

Other than this, some medical conditions that may cause temporary urinary incontinence include urinary tract infection and constipation.

Some of the reasons for persistent urinary incontinence are:

• Pregnancy
• Childbirth
• Change in the bladder muscle due to age
• Menopause
• Hysterectomy
• Prostate cancer or enlarged prostate
• Obstruction in the urinary tract due to some tumor
• Neurological disorder

Treatment of urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is treated depending upon different factors like severity of the problem, age of the patient, general health conditions, and mental state. The doctor may prescribe certain pelvic floor exercises called Kegel Exercises that help in maintaining control on the bladder. The doctor will also advise the different ways to train the bladder and maintain a proper urinating schedule.

When the condition is serious, medical devices and medications will help. For more severe cases, when therapies don’t work, the doctor will perform surgery. Therefore, it is essential to consult an experienced surgeon who can diagnose the issue and give the right treatment.

Dr. Sumina Reddy is a renowned gynecologist and infertility expert in Hyderabad. With years of experience and expertise, she can deal with different issues and complications in women. Visit Dr. Sumina Reddy’s Clinic to know more about urinary incontinence and get the best treatment.