What is urinary incontinence? 

Urinary incontinence happens when you lose control of your bladder. In some cases, you may empty your bladder’s contents completely. In other cases, you may experience only minor leakage. The condition may be temporary  or chronic, depending on its causes

Types of urinary incontinence:

Urinary incontinence is divided into three general types. .

  1. Urge incontinence
  2. Overflow incontinence
  3. Functional incontinence   

Causes and risk of incontinence :

Causes:

  • Pregnancy and childbirth: During pregnancy, the uterus presses down on the bladder and may cause incontinence. Giving birth vaginally can also stretch and weaken the muscles that support bladder control
  • Menopause: As estrogen levels decrease during menopause, vaginal tissue becomes thinner. Experts believe this also happens to the tissues of the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body
  • Urinary tract infections (UTIs): UTIs can cause temporary incontinence. 
  • Medications: Some medications, including diuretics (or water pills), can cause bladder incontinence.
  • Nerve damage: Any disease or injury that affects the nerves controlling the bladder can cause incontinence. Tumors anywhere in the 
  • Urinary tract Constipation: Constipation can lead to impacted stool, which places more pressure on your bladder .Side effects of hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus)

Consumption of excessive diuretics: Caffeine (e.g., from coffee, tea, sodas, and energy drinks), vitamin C, and chocolate can all stimulate urine production, causing or worsening symptoms of urinary incontinence.

Risks:

  • Being pregnant being ,
  •  Overweight having 
  • Diabetes
  • Going through menopause

Symptoms:

Common signs and symptoms of urinary incontinence include

  • Leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising
  • Feeling sudden, uncontrollable urges to urinate Frequent urination
  • Waking up many times at night to
  •  urinate Urinating during sleep

Treatment:


Treatment will depend on several factors, such as the type of incontinence, the patient’s age, general health, and their mental state. 

  • Stress incontinence Pelvic floor exercises, also known as Kegel exercises, help strengthen the urinary sphincter and pelvic floor muscles – the muscles that help control urination .

  • Bladder training Delaying the event: The aim is to control urge. The patient learns how to delay urination whenever there is an urge to do so. Double voiding: This involves urinating, then waiting for a couple of minutes, then urinating again. Toilet timetable: The person schedules bathroom at set times during the day, for example, every 2 hours. Bladder training helps the patient gradually regain control over their bladder . 

  • Medications for urinary incontinence medications are used, this is usually in combination with other techniques or exercises .The following medications are prescribed to treat urinary incontinence: Anticholinergics calm overactive bladders and may help patients with urge incontinence .Topical estrogen may reinforce tissue in the urethra and vaginal areas and lessen some of the symptoms. Imipramine   is a tricyclic antidepressant.

  • Physiotherapy treatment:

Kegel exercise

Kegel exercises can help make the muscles under the uterus, bladder, and bowel (large intestine) stronger. They can help both men and women who have problems with urine leakage or bowel control. You may have these problems :As you get older If you gain weight After pregnancy and childbirth After gynecologic surgery (women)After prostate surgery (men)

How to do Kegel Exercises :

  • Once you know what the movement feels like, do Kegel exercises 3 times a day: 
  • Make sure your bladder is empty, then sit or lie down .Tighten your pelvic floor muscles. Hold tight and count 3 to 5 second .
  • Relax the muscles and count 3 to 5 seconds .
  • Repeat 10 times, 3 times a day (morning, afternoon, and night).Breathe deeply and relax your body when you are doing these exercises. 
  • Make sure you are not tightening your stomach, thigh, buttock, or chest muscles .After 4 to 6 weeks, you should feel better and have fewer symptoms.
  •  Keep doing the exercises, but do not increase how many you do. Overdoing it can lead to straining when you urinate or move your bowels.