Urinary Incontinence or urinary leak is loss of control of urine. This affects women and men of all age groups and children. Urinary leak is a common problem. It is unfortunate in this day and age; that many assume that it is part of ageing process or treatment is not available.
In order to raise awareness and promote continence care, in commemoration of World Continence Week, I would like to highlight in this article to all affected that Urinary leak is predominantly, a treatable condition.
There are several types of urinary incontinence -
• Urge Leak
Urge Leak is urinary leak by the time one reaches the toilet. This is predominantly due to high pressure being built inside the bladder (overactive bladder).
• Stress urinary Incontinence
Stress urinary Incontinence is due to weakness of urine tube muscle. This happens on cough, sneeze, and strenuous exercise, lifting heavy weights or jogging.
• Mixed Urinary Incontinence
Mixed Urinary Incontinence is combinations of both urge and stress urinary leak
• Functional Incontinence
Functional Incontinence results due to poor or restricted mobility secondary to arthritis or chronic neurological issues. These patients are also advised medicines, bladder training and timely voiding (urination) and other accessories and devices that can be made available to them.
• Urinary leak
Urinary leak can also occur following neurological conditions like Stroke, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Disc prolapsed or Spinal Injuries. They can present as overactive bladder, under active bladder or in coordination of bladder and urine tube muscle.
In order to identify the type of urine leak, each patient with longstanding urine leak problems needs thorough history, examination, investigation. Specialised test like Uro dynamics (Bladder pressure test) helps to clinch the diagnosis of the type of urinary incontinence.
Urge leak can be treated by medicines taken orally or injected into the bladder, bladder training, diet, behavioural therapy and neuro modulation. There are certain changes that are advised in lifestyle modifications with diet and weight reduction.
Patients suffering from overactive bladder are generally advised to avoid spicy food, caffeinated beverages, fizzy drinks and excess chocolates.
Stress Urinary Leak can initially be given a trial of pelvic floor exercise, weight reduction if high BMI, medicines and finally Sling procedure if required after evaluation.
Certain types of Urinary Incontinence can cause recurrent Urinary tract infection and if untreated can lead on to renal failure.
Urinary leak can pose huge problems to those affected. It becomes a social embarrassment, prevents individuals from getting out of their homes and affects their quality of life.
Individuals or families affected need to seek medical help from an Urologist. Proper evaluation is mandatory to identify the cause of the leak.
Urinary incontinence is a treatable condition.
Author:
Dr Shyamala Gopi,
Consultant Senior Urologist with special Interest in Female Urology,
Neuro urology and Urinary Incontinence.
Apollo hospitals, Chennai
# 9444454387
