Urinary incontinence in women is a common issue characterized by the involuntary leakage of urine. It significantly impacts the quality of life, with around 50% of affected women seeking medical advice. This condition is often a symptom of an underlying health problem rather than a disease itself.
The bladder, a smooth muscled, hollow organ, plays a central role in the storage and excretion of urine. It works in coordination with the ureters, which transport urine from the kidneys to the bladder, and the urethra, which expels urine from the body.
Urinary incontinence is characterized by a sudden urge to urinate, accompanied by symptoms such as increased frequency of urination, frequent urination at night, and involuntary leakage of urine.
Risk Factors:
- Age: The risk increases with age due to weakening muscles.
- Pregnancy and Childbirth: These can weaken pelvic floor muscles and damage nerves.
- Menopause: Reduced estrogen levels can affect bladder and urethra tissues.
- Obesity: Extra weight increases abdominal pressure, stressing the bladder.
- Chronic Cough: Conditions like smoking can stress the bladder through persistent coughing.
- Pregnancy : These can weaken pelvic floor muscles and damage nerves.
- Multiple births
- Excess weight : Extra weight increases abdominal pressure, stressing the bladder.
- Constipation
- Menopause : Reduced estrogen levels can affect bladder and urethra tissues.
- Heredity
- Muscle weakness (due to overweight or multiple births)
- Damage to the sciatic nerve
- Weakening of the bladder neck muscles from abnormal overstretching
- Urethral injury from iatrogenic causes
- Congenital short urethra
- Bladder spasms
- Chronic Cough: Conditions like smoking can stress the bladder through persistent coughing.
- Lifestyle Changes:
- Reduce body weight
- Avoid citrus fruits, spices, coffee, dark chocolate, and alcohol
- Avoid manual labor
- Prevent constipation
- Physiotherapy
- Drug Treatment
- Surgical Treatment
Advice:
- Consume 1-1.5 liters of fluid per day without retaining fluids during urinary incontinence.
- Urinate every 4 hours or go to the bathroom only when the bladder is full. Delay if you feel the urge to urinate when the bladder is not full.
- Limit liquids 4 hours before bedtime and 2 hours before going out.