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Urinary incontinence is an embarrassing problem that affects every fourth woman and every eighth man. In addition, it happens to younger and younger people. Why is this happening? What is the cause of this ailment? Is the phenomenon so big, we are just ashamed to talk about it and report it to the doctor? You will find answers to these and other related questions in the next episode of Czas na Zdrowie.
Who is affected by urinary incontinence?
The problem of urinary incontinence is less common in men – it occurs in one in eight men. It affects women more often, as it can be observed in even one in four of them. Urinary incontinence affects not only older women but also younger women.
Urinary incontinence products
If we go to the pharmacy with the problem of urinary incontinence, the pharmacist may recommend special urological inserts. They are available in various sizes, shapes and with varying degrees of absorbency. Urinary incontinence pads they are different from the sanitary napkins used by women during their period. They are gentle on the skin, do not contain latex and are designed to prevent leakage of the insoles. It should be remembered that although you can choose the right product in a pharmacy, consultation with a specialist, i.e. a urologist or gynecologist, is recommended. A family doctor may also refer you to an appropriate surgery.
See also: Urinary incontinence in the elderly. What to look for when choosing absorbent and care products?
What is urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the uncontrolled leakage of urine from the bladder through the urethra due to various medical conditions. The condition may be associated with diseases of the nervous system, urinary tract infections or other endocrine diseases. There are also anatomical causes such as lowering the anterior vaginal wall in women or prolapse of the reproductive organ.
Urinary incontinence is divided into several forms:
- stress urinary incontinence, which occurs during exercise, as well as coughing or sneezing;
- urgent urinary incontinence which is preceded by a feeling of urgency to urinate;
- mixed type of urinary incontinence, i.e. stress-urgent incontinence.
Urinary incontinence diagnosis and treatment
In women, urinary incontinence most often occurs after childbirth and postmenopausal age. Then there is less estrogen in the body, and the physiology of the vaginal wall and urethra changes. Diagnostics and treatment begin at the urologist, and in the case of women, more often at the diagnostic gynecologist. It makes it possible to diagnose ailments urodynamic study. Your doctor may recommend pharmacological treatment, and if that doesn’t work, surgery may be necessary.
Read more about urodynamic research.
The WHO classification includes urinary incontinence as a social disease. The scale of this problem is very wide, most often associated with women after heavy labor, especially children with a high birth weight. Some women suffering from this condition are unaware that their condition is an abnormality. Urinary incontinence is not the natural sequence of things resulting from having a baby or the aging process, but a problem that requires treatment.
Ways of urinary incontinence
Exercise is a good idea to reduce the likelihood of urinary incontinence Kegel muscles, that is, the muscles of the pelvic floor. In the case of an advanced disease, it is worth seeking help from physiotherapists. Sometimes it does tactile biofeedback, i.e. electrical stimulation of the given muscles. If these methods do not work, please see your doctor for advice.
Also read: Pelvic floor muscles
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