Person leaks urine by accident due to loss of bladder function. It can be often cure or controlled. The body stores urine in bladder. During urination, muscles in bladder tighten to move urine into a tube called urethra. At the same time, the muscles around urethra relax and let the urine pass out of the body. When the muscles in & around the bladder don't work the way they should. Muscles relax without warning, urine can leak.
UI is a very common condition in elderly people, especially in women because of the unique health events, such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, that may affect the urinary tract and the surrounding muscles. The pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder, urethra, uterus (womb), and bowels may become weaker or damaged. When the muscles that support the urinary tract are weak, the muscles in the urinary tract must work harder to hold urine until you are ready to urinate. This extra stress or pressure on the bladder and urethra can cause urinary incontinence or leakage. Also, the female urethra is shorter than the male urethra. Any weakness or damage to the urethra in a woman is more likely to cause urinary incontinence
Types of UI ?
Stress incontinence
Urge incontinence
Overflow incontinence
Functional incontinence
Stress incontinence
Urine leaks as pressure is put on the bladder, for eg. during exercises, coughing, sneezing, laughing or lifting heavy objects. Most common type of young & middle age women. Stress incontinence is categorised in 4 grades according to the severity.
Grage 0 - no urine loss found
Grade 1 - urine loss in droplets while standing
Grade 2 - urine loss in a stream while standing
Grade 3 - urine loss in a stream while lying down.
Urge incontinence
Urine leaks when sudden need to urinate & can not hold the urine long enough to get to toilet. Common in people with diabetes.
Overflow incontinence
Small amount of urine leak from a bladder that is always filled. Common in people with diabetes, spinal cord injury, enlarged prostrated is blocking urethra.
Functional incontinence
Occurs in many older people who have normal bladder function. They just have problem getting to the toilet as soon due to hardness of move quickly.
Causes of UI
Urinary tract, virginal infections
Constipation
Weak or overactive bladder muscles
Weak pelvic floor muscles, common after pregnancy, child birth, menopause.
Damage to the nerve that control the bladder function.
Pelvic organ prolapses
Blockage from an enlarged prostate in men
Diagnosis & treatment of UI
Treatment depends on the type of bladder control problem you have how serious it is & what best fits your lifestyle.
Pelvic muscle exercises
Bio feedback
Time voiding
Life style changing
Keep your bladder healthy is the best way to minimize risk of developing UI.
Follow these 13 TIPS to keep your bladder healthy
Drink enough fluids, especially water. (normal healthy adult 6-8 glace of fluid each day)
Limit alcohol & caffeine. eg- coffee, tea, chocolate, most salts
Quit smoking
Avoid constipation
Keep a healthy weight
Exercise regularly
Do pelvic floor muscle exercises
Use the bathroom often & when needed- try to urinate at least every 3 to 4 hours.
Take enough time to fully empty the bladder when urinating
Be in a relaxed position while urinating
Wipe from front to back after using the toilet
Urinate after sex
Wear cotton underwear & loose- fitting clothes
Prasadi Amarasekara
References
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/urinary-incontinence-older-adults
https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/urinary-incontinence
