Urinary Incontinence

What is Urinary Incontinence? 

Urinary incontinence is the loss of normal control of the bladder and involuntary loss of urine. Many people with urinary incontinence are embarrassed about their condition. Urinary incontinence in some individuals may be a normal part of the growth that disappears naturally over time. However, if it does not disappear, treatment is available, and the condition improves when the underlying cause is treated.

Who is at Risk of Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is more common in women than in men. Older women experience urinary incontinence more often than younger women. The probable cause for the higher incidence in women can be attributed to pregnancy and childbirth, menopause and the structure of the female urinary tract.

What are the Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence?

Individuals with urinary incontinence may experience a strong, sudden, urgent and uncontrollable need to urinate, frequent urination and also involuntary loss of urine.

What are the Causes of Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary Incontinence may be caused by any of these factors:

• Weak muscles in the lower urinary tract
• Problems either in the urinary tract or in the nerves that control urination
• Physiological statuses such as pregnancy, childbirth, weight gain or other conditions that stretch pelvic floor muscles
• Overactive bladder muscle
• Urinary tract infection
• Constipation
• Bladder cancer or bladder stones
• Blockage within the urinary tract
• Removal of the uterus (Hysterectomy)
• Neurological disorders

Types of Urinary Incontinence Depending on the Symptoms:

Stress Incontinence

Leakage of small amounts of urine during physical movement such as coughing, sneezing, lifting heavy objects, and straining suddenly increases the pressure within the abdomen.

Urge Incontinence

Leakage of large amounts of urine at unexpected times, including during sleep.

Overflow Incontinence

Uncontrollable leakage of small amounts of urine because of an incompletely emptied bladder.

Functional Incontinence

This refers to urine loss resulting from the inability to get to a toilet.

Mixed Incontinence

Mixed incontinence is the presence of two or more types of incontinence in an individual. Most commonly, urge and stress incontinence occur together.

How is Urinary Incontinence Diagnosed?

Symptoms remain the mainstay of diagnosis and additional tests may be ordered to identify and confirm the cause for incontinence. 

These tests include 

• a bladder stress test, 
• urinalysis and urine culture, 
• ultrasound diagnosis, 
• cystoscopy and 
• urodynamics.

Treatments for Urinary Incontinence

Treatment depends on the cause, sex and severity of incontinence. Treatment options include 

• medications, 
• injections, 
• vaginal devices and 
• Urodynamics - behavioural therapy that includes pelvic muscle exercises, bladder retraining, electrical stimulation and catheterisation. 

If these conservative treatment measures fail to treat your condition your physician may recommend surgical procedures such as 

• urethral sling and 
• colposuspension.