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Loss of bladder control is common and undoubtedly annoying! It may involve the release of a very small amount of urine in a sudden sneeze or, worse, the person might not make it to the toilet in time due to an urgent and sudden need to urinate.
Causes
Urinary incontinence is a symptom, not a condition. Thus, it may be due to a temporary cause, such as a urinary infection, or consumption of a large amount of water, coffee, alcohol or diuretics. Nevertheless, there are circumstances that may cause permanent urinary incontinence:
- Parturition. (birth)
- Menopause.
- Hysterectomy.
- Neurological conditions.
- Calculi (kidney stones) or cancer of the urinary system.
Diagnosis
The following information is useful for diagnosis:
- The woman’s medical history.
- Urinary analysis. (often called urinalysis)
- Urine culture.
- Ultrasound of the inner genitals.
- Urodynamic screening.
- Cystoscopy.
Therapy
Α. Noninvasive
1.) Kegel exercises for the pelvic muscles.
Learning how to do the Kegel exercises
a.) Locate the correct muscles
While urinating, try to interrupt the process. When you have managed this, you will have found the correct muscles.
b.) Perfect your technique
Firstly, empty your bladder and then contract the pelvic floor muscles and maintain that action for 5 seconds. Release for another 5 seconds and then increase the contraction duration to 10 seconds, with the same amount of time for relaxation. Breathe freely during this exercise and do not tighten the rest of your body.
c.) Repetitions
At first, you can begin with 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 3 times daily and try to increase the amount gradually.
What these exercises achieve, is that they strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and the urethra. The pelvic floor supports the abdominal organ and protects them from injury when we are standing. In order for the pelvic muscles to function properly, they must be healthy and toned same as every other muscle.
Kegel exercises strengthen the pelvic muscles and, thus, offer sufficient support. In this way, these exercises have a therapeutic function regarding urinary incontinence.
2.) Therapy with laser
In women with moderate stress incontinence after Laser treatment there is great improvement or complete recovery.
3.) Specialised programme for bladder training
This aims at increasing the amount of urine that the bladder can contain without feeling the urgency to empty it.
4.) Electrical stimulation
Most women, in whom conservative therapies have failed, have been relieved with electrical stimulation of the plantar nerve, a painless therapeutic method. The way it works is that electrical stimuli are sent to the sacral plexus (nerve complex that provides motor and sensory nerves for the posterior thigh) through a fine needle.
Β. Surgery
Application of a vaginal tape
This is indicated in stress urinary incontinence. It is a minimally invasive procedure and very successful. The patient may leave the hospital the next day
