Urine from the kidneys accumulates in the bladder bladder. The contraction and relaxation movements of this sac are managed with the help of the muscles on the sac and the brain. Due to the flexibility of the bladder, urine creates pressure. The muscles at the lower end of the bladder bladder control the opening and closing of the mouth of the bladder. The channel through which the urine exits the bladder is called the urethra. The functioning of the urethra is controlled by hormones.
A dysfunction in this system causes urinary incontinence. In the continuation of this article, "How is urinary incontinence treated?", "What are the causes of urinary incontinence?" and “What are the types of urinary incontinence?” You can find answers to frequently asked questions such as.
What is Urinary Incontinence?
Incontinence is called urinary incontinence when the person is unable to involuntarily urinate. It is called urinary incontinence in the medical literature. Urinary incontinence can occur at any age, and its incidence increases with advancing age. Although it can be seen in everyone regardless of gender, it can be observed more frequently in women.
Conditions where urinary incontinence is repeated are considered as a disease. Loss of urine control can cause a person to be in a difficult situation. For this reason, it may affect the quality of life of patients and cause them to experience social and psychological problems. Involuntary leakage of urine occurs due to many reasons.
What are the Causes of Incontinence?
It is seen that many factors cause urinary incontinence. Based on the cases with urinary incontinence problems, it has been determined that the loss of urinary control is due to the following factors.
Genetic structure
Prolapse of the bladder
Aging
Constant constipation
Inflammation of the bladder (cystitis)
Infection in the vagina
Formation of stones in the kidney and urinary tract
Diabetes (diabetes) disease
Menopause
Difficulty giving birth
Prostate enlargement
Muscle relaxants
Diuretics
Medicines used by patients with depression
Medicines used in allergy treatment
Dysfunctions in the nervous system
Vagina and bladder cut Fistula, that is, unnatural connections between his and his wife
Excessive weight (obesity)
Illnesses such as chronic cough and asthma
Working in heavy work that increases intra-abdominal pressure
p>The factors that cause urinary incontinence.
What Causes Urinary Incontinence in Women?
Although urinary incontinence is seen in all ages and genders, it is more common in women. Urinary control may be difficult in women who have given birth more than once. However, difficulties experienced during childbirth trigger urinary incontinence. Such cases are also seen in women who have not given birth. Urinary incontinence is also seen due to genetic characteristics. In general, patients leak urine when they lift heavy loads, cough and sneeze, and laugh loudly. Different types have been identified.
Stress incontinence: This type of urinary incontinence occurs due to the weakness of the nervous and muscular systems. It is seen in sudden and severe reactions. In cases such as laughing, sneezing, coughing, and lifting heavy objects, patients cannot hold their urine and leak because the pressure applied to the bladder bladder increases. In this type of urinary incontinence, the patient suddenly, strongly urges to urinate. For this reason, incontinence is involuntary incontinence.
Mixed type of urinary incontinence: It is the type of urinary incontinence in which urgency and stress incontinence are seen at the same time.
Overflow type urinary incontinence: Although the bladder is full, the pressure is low. occurs when it is not felt. In patients who do not feel urinating, urine flows involuntarily in the form of leakage from the filled sac.
What are the Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence?
During urinary incontinence, the urine starts as drops or as a sudden leak. Symptoms of urinary incontinence can be listed as follows.
Inability to urinate
Pain during urination despite the absence of bladder infection
Constant urge to urinate
Frequent infection of the bladder sac I
How Is Incontinence Diagnosed?
First, a detailed patient history is listened to. Based on the history, the factors causing urinary incontinence, frequency and form of urinary incontinence are determined by the doctor. From this point of view, the diagnosis is made with various tests and examinations. In the diagnosis of urinary incontinence, tests such as cystometry (EMG) test, pelvic ultrasound, post-void residual study, urinalysis, cystoscopy are used.
Cystometry: With this test, the pressure applied on the bladder is measured. It is also called a systemtrogram. During the test, sterile water is given to the bladder with the help of a tube called a catheter and it is asked to make certain movements.
Nerve Measurement (EMG) Test: With this test, the condition of the muscles in the mouth of the bladder is determined. It is checked whether there is any anomaly in the nerves in the muscles that control the urine, and whether the muscles are in the right place in terms of location. >
Post-void Residual Test: This test is used to measure the amount of urine remaining in the bladder after urination.
Cystoscopy Test: It is used to examine the inside of the urethra when the doctor deems it necessary.
How is Urinary Incontinence Treated?
If incontinence is not treated, it can cause skin rash and infection. However, it can also be a symptom of other diseases. People with urinary incontinence problems in the community may experience stress with the fear of urinary incontinence, which negatively affects their quality of life. Therefore, a specialist should be consulted for early diagnosis and treatment.
As a result of the tests performed, surgical and non-surgical methods are used in the treatment of urinary incontinence. A diet and exercise program is prepared for patients with urinary incontinence due to excess weight. Diet and medication are used together in urinary incontinence caused by constipation. Diabetes patients can also benefit from diet and drug therapy.
When stress urinary incontinence is detected, surgical treatment is applied. A sling is placed at the exit of the urinary excretory canal in the external genitalia, and the urine is collected.
In the case of urge urinary incontinence, medication and exercise methods are used. The aim here is to eliminate the factors that prevent the muscles from contracting correctly. For this, drugs that prevent contractions and Kegel exercises are applied to strengthen the pelvic region. Kegel exercises are shown during the examination and the results are observed in periods of three, six months or one year. At the same time, Kegel exercises can be beneficial for women to prevent all types of urinary incontinence and sagging genital organs.
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