Urinary Incontinence, or rather lack of bladder control, is a most bothersome and embarrassing problem for millions of Americans. Urinary incontinence can effect people no matter what their age, but particularly those that are old. Men are less likely to suffer from bladder control problems than women.
An Explanation of Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Incontinence can best be described as an individual who cannot stop from urinating. The actual problem can be as simple as urinating just a little bit, when a few drops are passed, or the extreme, in which a very strong urge comes over one and is then followed by the passing of a great quantity of urine. Women actually tend to have both problems.
The actual problem itself can vary from one extreme to another as mentioned above. Sufferers either are merely occasionally bothered by it, while others are completely disabled. There are those with urinary incontinence that completely avoid any social situations as they fear having an embarrassing accident in front of others. There are those afflicted with the problem are too embarrassed to mention they have this problem to their physician. It is, however, essential to seek treatment, as urinary incontinence can be effectively treated, and even sometimes cured.
Urinary incontinence happens because the muscles and nerves are unable to hold or release urine. The bladder works as if it were a balloon, storing and stretching to fill whatever quantity of urine.
This organ is connected to the urethra, a tiny tube in which the body releases urine. When one urinates, the muscles found within the wall of the bladder contract, making urine pass from the bladder and into the urethra. While this happens the sphincter muscles that surround the urethra relax, and because of this urine does pass. When bladder muscles abruptly contract or the sphincter muscles are simply weak, they cannot hold urine, then urinary incontinence occurs.
UI and Weight
Urinary Incontinence is more likely to affect an individual if they are overweight. This is because there is simply more weight across their midsection. The extra weight acts like a mass pressing down on the bladder, the added pressure is simply too much. This weight causes your bladder to weaken. This is termed stress incontinence. If one suffers from stress incontinence, then they typically will leak urine when they cough, sneeze, laugh or do anything that is mildly physically stressful.
If one suffered from incontinence prior to gaining weight, then the problem will definitely worsen with the extra weight. The opposite is true as well, with the loss of weight. In this instance there is less of a problem.
Urinary Incontinent Sufferers
This most difficult and embarrassing problem is caused by being too physically heavy. This problem can be the result of such medical ailments as diabetes or shingles, the result of some medications, surgery, childbirth and pregnancy. It is essential that an individual discuss with their doctor what exactly their symptoms are so that they can best be properly treated.
Your physician might possibly encourage or ask you to keep a diary over the span of a few weeks so that they can pin point exactly what the problem is. Some questions they might ask are:
1. When you cough or sneeze what exactly happens as a result?
2. What did you drink beforehand?
3. What activity were you doing just before an episode of urinary incontinence? Were you active or not?
Treatment Options
A doctor will encourage a UI sufferer to loose weight, if need be. A change of diet is good, too, as well as doing Kegel exercises if you are a woman.
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