Urinary incontinence is a common problem among women over 50 years of age, and among diabetes patients. This problem not only disturbs their personal hygiene, it affects their social life as well. Many people tend to stay away from them due to the unpleasant odor that results from involuntary urination. This makes them feel embarrassed and shameful of themselves and it can potentially lead to a lot of stress and depression.
Who can have this problem?
Excess body fluids that get separated by your kidneys will be collected into the urinary bladder. Urinary bladder has elasticity so it can expand and contract. A well developed healthy adult bladder can store up to 850ml of urine. Once the urine level reaches 600ml approx, it contracts and passes the message to the brain that it’s time to urinate. But, for some people, the urinary bladder will start to contract before it reaches its minimum threshold capacity. We call this condition as overactive bladder. Due to this, the person will feel the need to urinate way too often. These people have the high probability of urinary incontinence problem.
Diabetes patients usually want to urinate often. But, things can get little difficult while they are on a journey. So they end up controlling their urge to urinate. Due to this, the valve that permits and blocks the urine will go through a lot of stress and become weak. This can lead to urinary incontinence.
People with Alzheimer, and psychological problems like stress, anxiety etc.. can have this problem.
Men with problems in their prostate gland and who have prostate cancer can have bladder leakage.
Women who get pregnant often will have more stress on the uterus. Due to this, the urinary bladder will become weak. When this stress falls on the nerves, it can lead to urinary incontinence.
When we sneeze or cough often, lift heavy weights, it will create more stress in the lower abdomen, this can cause involuntary urination.
What are the treatments
- As there are many reasons for the occurrence of this disease, the treatment will differ from person to person depending upon their health condition. An ultrasound scan can be carried out to detect this problem.
- There are no available treatments for urinary incontinence that has its roots in the brain, and problems related to it, this includes Alzheimer’s, stress, depression, and other psychological problems. These people can make use of adult diapers if necessary.
- Diabetes patients who urinate often, need to keep their blood sugar under control. There are tablets and medications available for diabetes patients to cure this condition. Surgery may be advised to patients who have advanced condition of the disease.
Solution
- Treatment options are very slim for women who are older than 60 years. So they should take necessary precautionary steps to prevent this disease. Pregnant women who just had their delivery need to undergo special exercises regularly to strengthen their urinary bladder.
- To prevent depression and stress, it is necessary to keep the mind relaxed and refreshed most of the times. Practices like Yoga, meditation, pranayama, and walking will help in a great way to counter psychological problems.
- People who have a constant cough must take necessary treatment to keep it under control.
- Those who have sinus must undergo treatments for it.
- Following these precautionary measures, we can effectively prevent urinary incontinence.
Artificial Urinary Sphincter
This is a special treatment option available for men with urinary incontinence. When the neck part of the urinary bladder loses its capacity to expand and contract, there will be a constant bladder leakage. Artificial Urinary Sphincter is provided to arrest this problem. In this treatment, a titanium sphincter will be installed over urinary tract. Along with this, a switch will also be placed near the groin area.
This sphincter will block the leakage from the urinary bladder. Normally, it will be in the closed position so it stops the urine on its path. Once the urinary bladder is full, the patient will feel the need to urinate. He can then rush to a restroom and press the installed switch to open up the closed sphincter, this will clear the path for urine to be released. Once the bladder is emptied, the person can release the switch to close the sphincter. This treatment will provide a permanent solution to involuntary urination problem in men.