Urinary incontinence, often an embarrassing issue, is a common bladder control problem affecting both genders. The problem generally goes undiscussed and accompanies several misconceptions. One such is the belief that urinary incontinence is a problem associated with increasing age. However, it can happen to anyone at any age.
As a urology hospital in Ahmedabad, we must shed light on such topics. Thus, this blog.
The Normal Urinary Functioning!
The body’s urinary function is controlled collaboratively by the bladder and the brain. The bladder muscles hold urine until the body is ready to release it. When ready, the brain communicates the message to the bladder, and then the body releases urine through the urethra.
Normally, the urine doesn’t leak since the sphincter muscles (around the urethra) are closed. On the contrary, the urge to urinate is very sudden and strong in urinary incontinence.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence can be a sign of an underlying condition. The 4 common types are:
SUI (Stress Urinary Incontinence)
A lot of people struggle with SUI, but it is primarily common in older females. In this condition, urine is easily released through weak pelvic muscles. It usually happens in the case of stretched pelvic floor muscles. The leaks can be caused by strenuous physical activity, walking, coughing, sneezing, bending, etc. The severity of urine leakage can range from a few drops to a tablespoon and even more.
OAB (Overactive Bladder)
Overactive bladder, also known as urgency incontinence, commonly affects both genders. This condition can restrict routine activities, and the urge to urinate might be sudden, leading to leaks in the absence of immediate bathroom access. In this condition, the brain indicates the desire to empty even when the bladder is not full. The second scenario can be highly active bladder muscles that squeeze before the bladder reaches its maximum capacity.
SUI and OAB (Mixed Incontinence)
Some people struggle with mixed incontinence, which combines both SUI and OAB. As a
result, their everyday good night sleep remains compromised.
Overflow Incontinence
In this condition, the body produces more urine than the bladder’s capacity to hold and empty. Additionally, the bladder muscles might squeeze abnormally, or there could be a blockage. This condition is more common in men.
Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence
The severity of symptoms can differ from person to person. However, some specific symptoms that indicate your need to visit a top urologist in Ahmedabad are:
SUI
The primary symptom of SUI is leakage when the body is active.
OAB
The primary symptom of OAB is the strong and sudden urge to urinate, which is often uncontrollable. Please note that the urge might or might not lead to urine leakage.
Overflow Incontinence
The major symptoms of this condition include constant dribbling and frequent small urination.
SUI and OAB (Mixed Incontinence)
The symptoms here are a combination of SUI and OAB. They mainly include a sudden and strong urge to urinate and leaks.
When to Visit the Doctor?
Discussing urinary incontinence with your healthcare provider can be embarrassing, but it is extremely important. This is especially true if the condition has begun affecting routine activities or quality of life. The condition puts the elderly safety at risk since the urge might cause them to rush, leading to falls. It can even indicate a severe underlying medical condition.
Therefore, you should not wait forever before seeking professional advice or medical treatment at a trusted diagnosis center.
Conclusion
Urinary incontinence is a common medical condition capable of affecting a person’s psychological, social, and emotional life. It is best to seek available treatments rather than suffer in silence. So, visit our urologists at the Sunflower Multispeciality Hospital, a synonym for the best multispeciality hospital in Ahmedabad!
