Incontinence
Incontinence | |
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Pronunciation |
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Specialty | Urology, Gynecology |
Symptoms | Involuntary leakage of urine or feces |
Complications | Skin infections, rashes, urinary tract infections |
Causes | Aging, urinary tract infections, weakened pelvic muscles, nerve damage, surgery, prostate issues, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause |
Diagnostic method | Medical history, physical examination, urine tests, bladder diary, imaging tests |
Treatment | Behavioral techniques, pelvic muscle exercises, medications, medical devices, interventional therapies, surgery |
Frequency | Varies by type and age |
Incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of urine or feces, which can range from a slight leakage to a complete loss of bladder or bowel control. It is a common and often distressing problem that can significantly impact an individual's quality of life.
Types[edit | edit source]
There are several types of incontinence:
Urinary Incontinence (UI): Involuntary leakage of urine. Common types include:
- Stress Incontinence: Leakage of small amounts of urine during activities that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, or lifting.
- Urge Incontinence: Sudden, intense urge to urinate, followed by involuntary loss of urine.
- Overflow Incontinence: Frequent or constant dribbling due to the bladder not emptying completely.
- Functional Incontinence: Physical or mental impairments prevent timely bathroom use.
- Mixed Incontinence: A combination of stress and urge incontinence.
- Fecal Incontinence: Inability to control bowel movements, leading to involuntary defecation.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Incontinence can result from various factors, including:
- Aging
- Urinary tract infections
- Chronic constipation
- Weakened pelvic floor muscles (e.g., from childbirth)
- Nerve damage (e.g., from diabetes, stroke, multiple sclerosis)
- Prostate issues in men
- Changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause in women
- Certain surgeries, especially those involving the pelvic region or urinary tract
- Neurological disorders
- Dementia
- Physical disability
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
Diagnosis involves:
- Review of medical history
- Physical examination, including pelvic examination in women and prostate examination in men
- Urine tests to check for infections or traces of blood
- Maintaining a bladder diary
- Imaging tests, such as ultrasound
- Urodynamic testing to measure bladder pressure
- Cystoscopy to view the urinary tract
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment strategies depend on the type of incontinence and its underlying cause:
- Behavioral techniques: Includes bladder training, scheduled toilet trips, and fluid and diet management.
- Pelvic muscle exercises (Kegel exercises): Strengthening the muscles that help control urination.
- Medications: Depending on the type of incontinence, anticholinergics, Mirabegron, alpha blockers, topical estrogen (for post-menopausal women), etc., might be prescribed.
- Medical devices: Such as urethral inserts or pessaries for women.
- Interventional therapies: Procedures like bulking material injections, botulinum toxin type A injections, and nerve stimulators.
- Surgery: Procedures like sling procedures, bladder neck suspension, prolapse surgery, or artificial urinary sphincter in selected cases.
Prevention[edit | edit source]
While not all forms of incontinence can be prevented, some general recommendations include:
- Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular physical activity
- Avoiding bladder irritants, like caffeine and acidic foods
- Practicing pelvic floor exercises regularly
- Treating and managing chronic conditions that may increase the risk
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
Incontinence Resources | ||
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD