Urinary incontinence is a common problem that often occurs as people get older, but it isn’t an inevitable consequence of aging. Incontinence is the loss of bladder control that may cause the occasional leaking of urine. Sometimes incontinence Wildwood may be severe, causing a sudden urge to urinate, and you do not get to the toilet in time. It is essential to see your healthcare provider if the condition affects your everyday activities.
What causes urinary incontinence?
The causes of urinary incontinence vary from physical problems to everyday habits and underlying medical conditions. Your healthcare provider can help determine the cause of your incontinence through a thorough evaluation. Sometimes you may experience temporary incontinence after taking caffeine, alcohol, and sparkling water. Chocolate and peppers also stimulate your bladder and increase urine volume. Other causes of temporary urinary incontinence include large doses of vitamin C, sedatives, muscle relaxants, and high blood pressure medications.
Urinary incontinence can be a persistent problem due to pregnancy. During pregnancy, the increased weight of the fetus and hormonal changes can result in stress incontinence. Persistent incontinence can also be due to changes that occur with age. For example, involuntary bladder contractions increase as you get older. As you age, so does the bladder muscle, decreasing the bladder’s urine storage capacity.
You can also develop incontinence after vaginal delivery. Vaginal childbirth may damage bladder nerves and supportive tissues and weaken the muscles needed for bladder control, leading to a prolapsed pelvic floor. Incontinence may occur when organs such as the bladder, rectum, and uterus protrude into the vagina.
Production of less estrogen after menopause can also cause incontinence. Estrogen hormone keeps the lining of the bladder and urethra healthy; therefore, a lack of this hormone can cause deterioration of these tissues. Incontinence may also stem from an enlarged prostate, a condition called prostatic hyperplasia.
Risk factors for urinary incontinence
Age. Old adults are more likely to develop incontinence since the bladder and urethra muscles lose some of their strength over time. The urine volume capacity for the bladder also decreases with old age, increasing the chances of involuntary urine releases.
- Gender. Women are more likely to have incontinence due to menopause, childbirth, and normal female anatomy. However, the risk is also high in men with prostate gland problems.
- Family history. A predisposition of urge incontinence in your family puts you at risk of having the same condition.
- Obesity. Extra body weight stresses your bladder and surrounding muscles, eventually weakening them, allowing urine to leak when you sneeze or cough.
Treatment for incontinence
Your healthcare provider will first determine the type of incontinence you have, its severity, and the underlying cause to choose the proper treatment. If your incontinence is due to an underlying condition, your doctor will first address that condition. Usually, your provider may recommend conservative treatments and move on to other options if these techniques are ineffective.
Examples of behavioral techniques your provider may recommend to you include bladder training, fluid and diet management, double voiding, and scheduled toilet trips.
If you want to learn more about the treatments for incontinence, consult with your provider at NuwaWorld.
