Common Causes of Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence (UI) is a medical condition that older people suffer from. However, they don’t have the exclusive domain over the condition as UI can happen at any age. The weakening of the bladder muscles and nerves leads to the patients losing control over how frequently they visit the bathroom to relieve themselves. Sometimes, they can’t hold it in, and it causes an embarrassing episode that they wouldn’t want to remember. Even at home, it could strike, and it still causes unbearable anxiety. Such are the scenarios they face daily, and they have to find ways to manage and treat the condition effectively.
Several things can cause urinary incontinence, and according to studies, it is more prevalent in women than men. Doctors state that UI isn’t by itself a disease but can be an underlying symptom of a more serious medical condition. There are some schemes provide funding for incontinence products, especially if the person suffering from it has been proven to have incurred the condition based on an identified criteria such as an underlying illness, dementia, and other similar factors. The government approves such grants after an extensive vetting process.
For those who wish to understand more about UI, here are some of its common causes.
Enlarged prostate
As men advance in age, their prostate enlarges due to several factors. If the prostate enlarges and presses against the urethra, it can move the neck of the bladder out of place, leading to an overactive bladder. An overactive bladder contracts involuntarily and usually creates the urge to urinate. If the person doesn’t have complete control over his bladder, it could result in leakage or soiled undergarments.
Hysterectomy
For women who plan to undergo hysterectomy or the removal of the uterus, one of the side effects they may have to prepare for includes stress or urge incontinence. In addition, once the uterus is removed, there’s a huge chance that the bladder wouldn’t hold as much urine and the nerve endings may also become damaged. This could lead to leakage and weakened control.
Weakened pelvic muscles
Another risk factor for women is pregnancy. The stress of pregnancy and childbirth may cause the weakening of pelvic muscles as it sags and is no longer capable of supporting the bladder. When this happens, the bladder moves out of position, and it can lead to increased pressure, resulting in leakage and a greater urge for the patients to relieve themselves.
Interstitial cystitis
Another condition that leads to incontinence is interstitial cystitis. Doctors have trouble diagnosing it and usually lump it as part of a bigger problem. This condition is often referred to as painful bladder syndrome because as the bladder fills, the person suffers from a sharp pain behind the vulva and vagina for women and the scrotum and testicles for men. People who have interstitial cystitis need to relieve themselves anywhere from seven to eight times a day, and they also feel the urge to urinate again even after they go to the washroom. It can be a huge discomfort for its sufferers.
Takeaways
Several things cause urinary incontinence, but you can receive assistance to improve your condition.
