UI Treatment In India

UT Treatment In India

What is UI? 

UI stands for Urinary Incontinence. It is more commonly known as the loss of bladder control. UI is an embarrassing problem whose severity ranges from urine leakage while coughing or sneezing to the need to urinate suddenly and strongly at an extremely random time. Even though this problem is more common in elders, it isn’t related to aging. If one is facing such a problem, she/he must visit a doctor. Getting a medical treatment can ease discomfort and even stop urinary incontinence. 

Symptoms of UI

The severity of leakage varies from individual to individual. Some experience minor leaks while some lose small to moderate amounts of urine more frequently. The reason for this involuntary leakage can be the inability of the bladder to fully empty itself during urination or may result due to a urinary tract infection. UI can also be chronic and result due to long term conditions such as diabetes which can affect the production of urine. If UI is left untreated, it can last indefinitely. 

Types of UI

• Stress Incontinence: In this type of incontinence, urine leaks when one exerts pressure on their bladder while coughing, sneezing, exercising, laughing, or lifting. 
• Urge Incontinence: In this type of incontinence, one feels an intense urge to urinate that is followed by an involuntary loss of urine. This can be due to infection, something more severe such as diabetes or neurological disorder. 
• Overflow Incontinence: In this type, one experiences constant dribbling of urine due to the bladder’s inability to empty. 
• Functional Incontinence: This type of continence occurs due to mental or physical impairment keeping one from making it in time to the washroom.
• Mixed Incontinence: In this, one may experience more than one type of urinary incontinence. 

Causes of UI 

Urinary Incontinence cannot be termed as a disease as it is caused due to our everyday habits or underlying medical and physical conditions. By seeking medical advice from the right doctors, one can understand the reason behind their incontinence. Some of the common reasons for Urinary incontinence are as follows: 

Temporary Urinary Incontinence: Some food items, drinks, and medications can stimulate the urinary bladder and increase the production of urine. These include: 

• Carbonated Drinks/Sparkling Water
• Caffeine 
• Alcohol
• Chocolate/Artificial Sweeteners
• Citrus Fruits & foods with excess salt, sugar or acid
• Heart, Blood Pressure medicines
• Sedatives and Muscle Relaxants
• Large doses of Vitamin C

Some other reasons also include urinary tract infection and constipation

Persistent Urinary Incontinence: Some underlying physical problems can cause urinary incontinence to be a persistent problem such as

• Pregnancy: hormonal changes and the increased weight of the fetus can cause incontinence
• Menopause: production of estrogen responsible for keeping the urethra healthy is reduced considerably post menopause
• Childbirth: during birth, vaginal delivery can weaken muscles required for bladder control and damage nerves leading to prolapsed pelvic floor
• Neurological disorders: disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, sclerosis, and spinal injury interrupt nerve signals needed for bladder control
• Hysterectomy: surgeries in a woman’s reproductive system can the support given by pelvic floor muscles leading to incontinence
• Enlarged Prostate: In the older-age group of men, incontinence comes from enlargement of the prostate gland
• Prostate Cancer: Incontinence can be associated with untreated prostate cancer
• Obstruction: a tumor in the urinary tract can block the flow of urine causing overflow incontinence
• Age-related Changes: aging of the bladder muscles can reduce the bladder’s capacity to store urine causing more involuntary bladder contractions.

Diagnosis of UI

Many are diagnosed with UI only after visiting their gynecologist. Doctors are trained well enough to know the UI and also understand that one maybe not comfortable talking about it. For diagnosis, the doctor reviews the medical history and carries out an analysis of the patient’s urine. The doctor also ascertains the functions of their urinary system. With the help of these tests, the doctor takes pressure readings to help her understand the problem and determine the cause for the same. 

Treatment of UI

Urinary incontinence can be treated in most cases. Some of the methods for treatment include:

• Physical Exercises
• Behaviour Treatment
• Absorbent Products
• Non-Surgical Procedures
• Weight loss for overweight patients
• Surgery, to correct the urinary system function

Prevention of UI

To reduce the risk of Urinary Incontinence, these can be followed:

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Practicing pelvic floor exercises
• Avoiding caffeine, alcohol and acidic foods
• Eating fiber-rich foods
• Quit Smoking