Urinary incontinence can happen to anyone, but its chances increase as you age. Having an overactive bladder means a person accidentally leaks urine from time to time. This can happen for many reasons, including vaginal irritation, urinary tract infection, nerve damage, or pelvic organ prolapse. It is also associated with pregnancy and sometimes with arthritis, diabetes, or Parkinson’s disease.
Urinary incontinence is a complex condition. Listed below are the different types of incontinence and their treatments:
-
Stress incontinence
It is a type of bladder control problem common among younger and middle-aged women. Pregnant and new mothers can also experience an overactive bladder for a short while. Stress incontinence happens when activities like sneezing, laughing, or coughing put stress or pressure on the bladder; this leads to uncontrollable urine leaks. The weakening of the muscles that support the urinary bladder or poor pelvic floor control is often the reason behind stress incontinence.
A pessary — a disc made of silicone or rubber — to help hold up the bladder. Patients can also undergo a surgical procedure wherein doctors place a single-incision sling in the vagina and a narrow mesh between the bladder and the uterus to prevent urine leakage.
-
Urge incontinence
This occurs when people feel a sudden urge to urinate and cannot hold it until they reach the bathroom. This results from damaged muscles around the bladder or wrong signals sent by the brain to the bladder. It is a common problem among people with diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or Alzheimer’s disease.
Physical therapy and lifestyle modifications are on top of the list. Acupuncture, medications, sacral neuromodulation, and percutaneous nerve simulation are also options.
-
Overflow incontinence
This happens when the bladder is always full since it can’t empty itself properly. This results in small amounts of urine leaks and a feeling of discomfort. Overflow incontinence is caused by diabetes, spinal cord injuries, and an enlarged prostate that blocks the urethra.
The treatment for overflow incontinence is similar to stress incontinence. Sacral nerve stimulation and surgical procedures are also effective.
-
Functional incontinence
This happens when the brain fails to send the right signals on time. This is common in people with dementia and the elderly. As a result, they often have no idea that they need to urinate or do not have the physical strength to go to the bathroom. It is also associated with poor eyesight and limited mobility.
The improvement of the patient’s functional status should be a priority. Easy access to the toilet and products like adult pull-ups and incontinence underwear can also help.
-
Mixed incontinence
This is a combination of different incontinence types, like stress and urges incontinence. Older people and pregnant women are more prone to this type of incontinence. They often experience the sudden need to urinate in the most unlikely places.
Medication may help with bladder muscles and pelvic floor muscles, calming an overactive bladder and helping the bladder to hold more urine and empty properly. Some patients may find behavioral and lifestyle changes to be more effective.
Conclusion
It is vital to seek the help of a medical professional to identify the type of urinary incontinence you are experiencing. This way, you can ensure that you’ll be given the proper medications and treatments.