Urinary incontinence is a social health problem that cannot be controlled and negatively affects human life. When this situation recurs frequently, it should be considered a problem and an underlying health problem should be sought. Urinary incontinence, which is a more common condition in women than in men, can have many causes. In case of urinary incontinence problem, the main cause of the problem should be solved with diagnostic methods and treatment should be applied. Nowadays, with the developing technology, the problem of urinary incontinence is solved in a short time.
Who has the problem of urinary incontinence?
- In women, especially as the number of births increases and hormonal changes occur during menopause, urinary incontinence problem is solved. The problem of incontinence is a frequently encountered situation. It is more common in women aged 50 and over due to the relaxation of the muscles of the genital area with age and deformation. Urinary incontinence may be encountered when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or even just standing up in advanced cases.
- An increase is also detected due to some developing endocrine or metabolic diseases. The most important factor here is diabetes. - Urinary tract infections, rapid weight gain and loss, light-skinned race, intra-abdominal masses (myoma, cyst tumor, etc.)
- Some medications used; blood pressure medications, antitepressants, etc.,
Urinary incontinence is a condition that is impossible to get used to and negatively affects daily life. People who experience this problem avoid going out, and over time, this situation causes serious psychological problems. On the other hand, people who have this problem avoid drinking water and experience kidney disorders that can cause more serious consequences over time.
What are the Diagnostic Methods for Urinary Incontinence?
Diagnosis methods for urinary incontinence are quite diverse. . In the first stage, the medical history should be listened to by the doctor and a road map should be drawn for diagnosis. After this stage, the doctor asks the patient to keep a urine diary. The doctor will examine this diary, in which the frequency of urination is noted.
Apart from these methods, there are also tests performed for diagnostic purposes,
- Dye Test: It does not cause any harm to health. After a special dye is injected into the bladder, the diagnosis is made by examining the pad given to the patient. The doctor will determine the treatment method as a result of whether the pad is painted or not.
- Urodynamics: Treatment is applied in line with the results obtained by examining the flow rate while urine is emptied and the volume of pressure created when the bladder is filled.
- Stress Test: To perform this test. You must be stuck in the urine. Meanwhile, the doctor will ask you to cough and it will be determined whether there is urinary incontinence.
- Cystoscopy: It is a diagnostic method that allows seeing the inside of the urinary bladder. The doctor will have an idea about the cause of urinary incontinence by examining the inside of the bladder with a thin, illuminated tube with a lens at the end.
- Q-tip test; It is a test that shows the mobility of the urinary tract outlet.
Can Urinary Incontinence Problem Be Treated?
After the diagnostic methods for urinary incontinence problem, the doctor will decide on the treatment method depending on the cause of the problem. These treatment options are divided into 4 main groups.
- Medication Treatment: As a result of the tests performed, the doctor will first determine the cause of the urinary incontinence problem. Later, if one chooses drug therapy among the treatment methods, the problem can be eliminated with medications that relax the bladder.
- Behavioral Treatment: Behavioral treatment is applied to make changes in lifestyle. Quitting smoking, losing weight, and avoiding heavy lifting are largely successful in overcoming urinary incontinence problems. As a result of behavioral treatment, the causes of urinary incontinence are determined and it is aimed to eliminate these causes.
- Physical Therapy: It is possible to get rid of the problem of urinary incontinence with Kegel exercise, which aims to strengthen the vagina, urethra and rectum muscles. On the other hand, if those who do not have a problem with urinary incontinence make it a habit to do the kegel exercise from time to time, it reduces the risk of experiencing urinary incontinence problems in the future.
- Surgical Treatment: When the underlying cause of the problem is revealed as a result of diagnostic methods in Urinary Incontinence Problem, which surgical method will be decided. The doctor decides.
- Gynecological Laser : It is applied in three ten-minute sessions with an interval of 6 weeks.
What are the Causes of Urinary Incontinence?
The causes of urinary incontinence are very important in determining the treatment method. During the diagnostic methods for urinary incontinence, the causes of urinary incontinence provide guidance in diagnosis.
- Urinary tract stones and urinary tract tumors
- Vaginal Infections
- Hormonal changes due to menopause. changes
- Prostate enlargement in men
- Diabetes
- Age-related health problems
- Constipation
- Excessive weight gain
- Uterine and urinary tract prolapse
- Brain function disorders (Alzheimer's, dementia, vascular diseases)
The causes of urinary incontinence depend on many different reasons, as stated in the articles. can be experienced as. For this reason, the path to be followed after diagnosis is different. At this point, diagnostic methods for urinary incontinence also vary. While ultrasonography is used to detect stones or tumors in the urinary tract, vaginal examination or urine and blood tests are guiding in vaginal infections. While diagnostic methods for brain function disorders are different, checks to detect diabetes will be different. Therefore, the causes of urinary incontinence should be examined in detail by the doctor and treatment should be applied.
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