Advice for Those New to Urinary Incontinence

22 June 2016

Advice for Those New to Urinary Incontinence

If so, there are a couple things you need to consider, including of course consulting your doctor or physician immediately, in order to find a diagnosis before acting further.

According to studies, results suggest that approximately 1.4% of the UK population over 40 suffer from “major faecal incontinence”. Also, according to the NHS it’s believed that as many as 6 million may suffer from some degree of urinary incontinence in the UK.

What Causes Urinary Incontinence?

  • Child Birth
    A very common cause of urinary incontinence is often due to child birth, typically from a vaginal birth as opposed to a caesarean. Child birth is such a common cause it has resulted in as many as 3 times more women suffering with urinary incontinence than men.

    This is a result of the stretch of the pelvic floor muscles in child birth, causing damage to the nerves of the pelvic floor, making this mechanism which controls urine, weak; resulting in leaks.
  • Neurological Disorders
    There are also many clinical disorders and injuries which can occurring, affecting the bladder, including spinal cord injury, enlarging of the prostate and spina bifida.

  • Old Age
    Although incontinence is not an inevitable result of aging, there are a number of health issues that can be a result of an irritable or unstable bladder or prostate problems, such as the prostate enlarging causing the bladder to be obstructed, making it difficult to pee.

  • Obesity

Treatments and Dealing with Incontinence

Once you have paid your doctor or GP a visit, depending on the type or severity of your incontinence, whether it is stress related or neurological disorder, they will likely suggest that you attempt pulmonary, conservative measures, such as strength exercises, bladder retraining or pills, used to calm bladder spasms.

  • Exercises
    Incontinence trouble is very common in women after child birth, as it generally leads to the pelvic floor muscles to become stretched, making this area which controls the flow of urine, weak.

    However, there are exercises which can be performed to strengthen the pelvic floor, otherwise known as Kegel exercises which may aid in a more controllable flow. Find out more about pelvic floor exercises.
  • Incontinence Products
    Another means of coping with incontinence, is to consider purchasing incontinence products, such as waterproof diapers, pads and absorbent sheets.

    Although it may not be seen as a long term solution for some, incontinence products can be the perfect solution for young children and the elderly, who are not available for surgery.

  • VESI Care

    VESI Care or Solifenacin is a medication prescribed by a doctor that was developed in order to treat health issues which directly results in urinary incontinence, such as an overactive bladder or irritable bowel syndrome.

    Again, we stress that it is vitally important that you consult a doctor, making them fully aware of any current underlying health issues before you consider using Solifenacin.
  • Electrical Stimulation
    Most commonly used in women suffering from a stretched pelvic floor or damaged nerves in the bladder after child birth; electrical stimulation involves the use of electrical current in order to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.

  • Life style Changes
    Urinary incontinence can be a result of excessive alcohol or caffeine intake, therefore, reducing the intake of these substances can lead to the elimination or a significant reduction in incontinence.

    In addition to losing weight and regular exercise, these can all lead to a reduction in incontinence, depending entirely on the original cause.

  • Surgery (bladder augmentation surgery)
    If all over the above do not seem to have any sort of effect or it is deemed by a doctor that the previously mentioned methods will have little effect, then surgery is often the final option that’s considered.

    Depending on the nature and severity of the case, there are a number of procedures available which are able to cure incontinence, one of which includes botox, which is injected into the bladder wall to prevent spasms of the bladder, which can of course lead to complications such as difficulty to pass urine.

To conclude, this previous information has been purely informative. If you do infact see signs that you may have any sort of bladder trouble, please contact your doctor or GP as soon as possible.