Definition:
Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control which is often become embarrassing to the individuals affected by this condition where in an individual cannot control the release of urine from the bladder. Urinary incontinence severity ranges from urine secretion from simply coughing or sneezing to sudden, random episodes of strong urinary emergencies.
Diagnosis:
Common tests include bladder diary, urinalysis and blood test while for specialized tests postvoid residual (PVR) measurement, pelvic ultrasound, stress test, urodynamic testing, cystogram and cystoscopy.
Treatment:
Behavioural techniques: pelvic floor muscle exercise, bladder training, scheduled toilet trips, diet and fluid management
Medications: anticholinergic (antispasdomic) drugs, imipramine, antibiotics
Electrical stimulation: used to strengthen pelvic floor muscles
Medical devices: urethral inserts, pessary
Surgery: artificial urinary sphincter, bulking material injections, sacral nerve stimulator, sling procedure, bladder neck suspension.
Absorbent pads and catheters
Symptoms and Signs:
Stress incontinence: release of urine due to coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting heavy objects.
Urge incontinence: the release of urine cannot be controlled which is sudden and intense.
Overflow in continence: the bladder is not properly drained or emptied which lead to overflow.
Functional incontinence: physical or mental injury keeps the individual from making it to the toilet in time
Gross total incontinence: continuous leaking of urine, day and night.
Causes:
Temporary urine incontinence: intake of alcohol, over-hydration, dehydration, caffeine, bladder irritation, medications such as sedatives
Medical conditions: urinary tract infection (UTI) and constipation
Persistent urinary incontinence: pregnancy and childbirth, aging changes, hysterectomy, painful bladder syndrome, prostatitis, prostate is enlarged, prostate cancer, bladder cancer or bladder stones, neurological disorders and obstruction like a tumor in the urinary tract.
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