The bladder is the part of the body where harmful substances filtered from the kidneys are excreted with water and stored in the form of urine. Urine filtered from the kidneys is discharged into the bladder, and when the urine reaches a certain level, the bladder wall stretches and stimulates the centers in the spinal cord. Urine is retained by contraction of the bladder mouth and relaxation of the bladder muscle up to a certain pressure. When the urine volume increases too much, the bladder muscle contracts under the control of the brain and the muscle at the bladder mouth relaxes, opening the urinary tract and urination occurs. In order to urinate in a healthy way, all of these systems must work in harmony.
Due to differences in the sexual organs, there are some differences in the position of the bladder of men and women. In addition, the urinary tube in women is anatomically shorter than in men, and there is some downward movement of the bladder during urination.
What are the causes of urinary incontinence?
There are many causes of urinary incontinence in women. The most common causes are infections of the bladder (cystitis), difficult births, multiple births, post-menopausal uterine prolapse, bladder stones, operations on the uterus and other genital organs. In addition, diseases such as nervous system-related strokes, Alzheimer's and dementia are among the common causes of urinary incontinence. Diabetes and obesity can also be the cause of urinary incontinence. Especially in elderly patients, muscle relaxants, diuretics, drugs affecting the nervous system, and blood pressure medications may also cause urinary incontinence.
Among these causes of urinary incontinence, difficult births, which are common, have a special importance. During prolonged difficult births, small or large tears may occur in the muscles that hold the bladder in place. In such cases, urinary incontinence occurs when the bladder is full, such as sneezing, coughing and lifting a heavy load, which is called stress incontinence. If this condition progresses, urinary incontinence may occur even when the bladder is not full.
There is also another common form of urinary incontinence, which we call "urge incontinence". In this case, the patient feels the urine coming, but leaks some of it until he goes to the toilet. This condition is generally seen in chronic bladder infections such as cystitis and other genital system disorders. can be seen in. Sometimes a cause may not be identified.
How should urinary incontinence be treated?
In order to treat urinary incontinence successfully, the cause of incontinence must be fully determined. In most patients, even listening to the patient's complaints may be sufficient for diagnosis. Urinary tract ultrasound examination and urine test may also help in differential diagnosis. In difficult cases, a special test called urodynamics is applied, which can fully reveal the disorder in urinary incontinence. Once the cause of urinary incontinence is revealed through the necessary tests, treatment can be started.
In the treatment of urinary incontinence, exercise, magnetic muscle stimulation, drug therapy and finally various surgical methods can be applied.
Exercise
strong>It is indispensable for treatment. The patient is taught how to use the pelvic floor muscles by an experienced physiotherapist. With special exercises, the strength of the muscles that help hold urine is increased. The patient continues to practice these exercises at home. The only negative aspect of exercise therapy is that it requires a certain level of consciousness in the patient. In other words, it is difficult to apply in patients with Alzheimer's and paralysis. It can be used in combination with medication and magnetic stimulation therapy.
In which patients can Magnetic Pelvic Floor Stimulation be used?
Pelvic floor muscles due to difficult birth or multiple births. Patients who are weakened and have stress incontinence, cases of urge incontinence, and patients who cannot undergo surgery can benefit greatly from this method. The effectiveness of the method has also been shown in complaints of urinary incontinence in men after prostate surgery.
Does Magnetic Pelvic Floor Stimulation treatment have any side effects?
No side effects were observed in the studies.
Drug Treatment
Urinary incontinence can be partially reduced with some medications in suitable patients. Drug treatments are especially effective in cases of stress and urge incontinence. Drug treatment should be combined with magnetic stimulation and exercise treatments in suitable patients.
Surgical Treatment
Surgical methods are used in patients whose complaints do not decrease with these treatment methods. applicable. In recent years, simpler methods have been developed and successful results are obtained in appropriate cases.
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