Urinary incontinence in women

Urinary Incontinence—Female (Incontinence, Urinary; Incontinence, Stress; Incontinence, Urge; Incontinence, Overflow; Incontinence, Functional; Stress Incontinence; Urge Incontinence; Overflow Incontinence; Functional Incontinence; Overactive Bladder)

What is urinary incontinence in women?

Urinary incontinence – loss of voluntary bladder control, which can lead to leakage of urine. The condition may be temporary or last for a long time.

There are four types of urinary incontinence in women:

• Stress incontinence – the most common type. Leakage occurs, when there is extra pressure on the bladder. Urine leakage can cause laughter, sneezing, lifting heavy objects or exercises;
• Callsign (peremptory, Urge) urinary incontinence – It is known as overactive bladder. Cause loss of bladder control following a strong urge to urinate. The bladder is unable to hold urine long enough, to get to the restroom;
• Overflow bladder – the bladder is not completely emptied, thus, Urine is collected and there is an overflow of the bladder;
• Functional incontinence – Normal bladder control, but the person is not able to reach the toilet in time.

Patients with urinary incontinence may be one or a combination of the above types.

Urinary incontinence in women – causes

Urinary incontinence has a number of different reasons. The cause may also be unclear.

Temporary incontinence can cause:

• Medication;
• Constipation;
• Infection;
• Muscular weakness;
• Restricted mobility;
• Obesity;
• Endocrinological disorders (such as diabetes).

Stress incontinence can cause:

• Muscle weakness , that control the bladder;
• Muscle weakness, that control the flow of urine;
• Obesity;

Callsign incontinence Mugut cause or aggravate:

• Urinary tract infections;
• Diabetes Type 1 and diabetes type 2;
• Irritation of the bladder (eg, stone or tumor);
• Medication( such as sleeping pills or diuretics);
• Caffeine;
• Alcohol;
• Nerve Damage:
• Spinal Cord Injury;
• Stroke;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Parkinson's Disease;
• Constipation;
• Excessive fluid intake;

Overflow bladder can cause or aggravate:

• Lock bladder, eg, a scar in the urethra (stricture);
• Pressure stool;
• Medication (antidepressants such as, hypnotics, antipsychotics, antihistamines, Calcium channel blockers);
• Vitamin B12 deficiency;
• Weak bladder muscles;
• Nerve Damage, which can cause:
• Operation;
• Diabetes;
• Spinal cord injury;
• Other factors;

Functional incontinence may cause:

• Medical illness, that impede movement, eg, severe osteoarthritis;
• Drugs or medicines, which cause confusion or sedation (relaxation).

Some cases of urinary incontinence can be caused by the presence of a fistula (fistula). CVIS – an abnormal opening between the bladder and other adjacent organs. Fistula may hinder the proper functioning of the bladder.

Risk factors for urinary incontinence in women

Urinary incontinence is more common in women 65 and older. Other factors, which can increase the risk of urinary incontinence in women include:

• The history of multiple pregnancy and obstructed labor;
• Urinary tract infections;
• Obesity;
• Chronic lung disease;
• Uretrit;
• Previous hysterectomy or urethral surgery;
• Pelvic organ prolapse;
• Depression;
• Dementia, including Alzheimer's;
• Menopause;
• Diabetes;
• Stroke;
• Multiple sclerosis;
• Spinal cord injury or disease;
• The consumption of certain substances, or taking medicines:
  • Caffeine;
  • Alcohol;
  • Alpha-agonists;
  • Cholinergic agents;
  • Cyclophosphamide.

Urinary incontinence in women – symptoms

Any loss of bladder control can be considered incontinence.

Urinary incontinence in women – when to see a doctor?

Consult your doctor, if you have a loss of bladder control. Your doctor will help determine the root cause of incontinence.

Urinary incontinence in women – diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. The doctor will ask, how often you urinate and when there is urinary incontinence. Also buzhet Inspect, to find the causes of urine leakage, such as blocking or nerve problems.

It is necessary to perform blood and urine tests, to look for infection or disease, eg, diabetes, which can cause urinary incontinence.

Tests, that can help to assess leakage of urine:

• Stress test – you will need to relax, and then cough. A doctor at this time determine, whether there is leakage of urine (to determine, whether there is stress incontinence);
• Urodynamic tests – Tests for measurement of urine volume and pressure in the bladder.

The doctor may also need to examine the structure around the urinary tract. For these purposes, applicable:

• US – test, which uses sound waves to study the structures inside the body. In this case, the determined amount of residual urine after urinating;
• Cystoscopy – a thin tube with a small camera is inserted into the urethra, to examine the urethra and bladder.

The doctor may ask you to keep a diary, which record the time or the time of urination, when there is urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence in women – treatment

Treatment is aimed at addressing the causes of urinary incontinence.

Temporary incontinence can be cured except conditions, associated.

Losing weight will help to reduce the number of episodes of urinary incontinence due to stress in humans, who are overweight or obese. Consult your doctor about a weight loss program, that's right for you.

Stress urinary incontinence in women – treatment

Initial treatment is aimed at changes in behavior and strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Changes in behavior include:

• Limiting the amount of fluid intake during the day;
• Reducing caffeine intake – Caffeine is associated with worsening of urinary incontinence.

Methods for increasing the strength of the muscles of the pelvic floor include:

• Kegel exercises – It focuses on muscles, which hold the bladder, as well as muscle, controlling the flow of urine;
• Painless electrical stimulation – It will help strengthen the muscles; useful for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence;
• Exercises using vaginal cones, which are inserted into the vagina (eg, Aquaflex®);
• Biofeedback – device signals, how much compressed muscles during exercise.

If urinary incontinence in women can not be treated by conservative methods, used surgical procedures. Options for surgical treatment of urinary incontinence in women include:

• Placement of special material, allowing to reduce the pressure on the urethra. There are several different types of surgery, but the basic version involves the use of so-called free synthetic loop, to help support the urethra;
• Collagen injections into the wall of the urethra. This material support wall of urethra, thereby preventing leakage of urine.

Urinary incontinence in women with urge – treatment

Initial treatment includes behavioral changes and strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. Changes in behavior include:

• Consumption of smaller amounts of fluid during the day;
• Failure to consumption of caffeine and alcohol;
• Failure to consumption of fluids before bedtime;
• Logging and cases of urinary incontinence.

Kegel exercises help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and relieve some of the symptoms.

Also for the treatment of urge incontinence of urine can be recommended drugs. Anticholinergic drugs are the most common treatment. They help to relax the muscles of the bladder. Other drugs may be used, to control the symptoms of urinary incontinence.

It can be used to stimulate the nerve, If incontinence can not be cured by a change in behavior or taking drugs. A special device will send impulses to the nerves, that control the bladder. This will help to strengthen the control over it. In some cases, the device, similar to a pacemaker, It is implanted in the back.

Overflow bladder and urinary incontinence – treatment

Treatment of this method lies in the full urinary bladder emptying during urination. If emptying of the bladder prevents lock, You may need surgery, to open the urinary tract.

Other causes of incontinence may require the use of a catheter, for draining urine from the bladder.

Other steps in the treatment of urinary incontinence in women

Leakage of urine can be used absorbent pads and diapers. Special pads also help hold urine in the bladder.

Supported Devices, called a pessary (pessary) It can also assist in retaining urine. Pessary is used to support the uterus, vagina, bladder or rectum. It will help reduce pressure on the bladder.

Prevention of urinary incontinence in women

It must be remembered, that urinary incontinence can be a symptom of many other diseases. There are several ways to prevent urine leakage:

• We need to do exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, eg, Kegel exercises. This is particularly important during pregnancy;
• Reduce your intake of substances, which lead to incontinence, such as caffeine, Alcohol and certain drugs;
• It is necessary to lose weight, if necessary;
• Eat a healthy diet, to avoid constipation.