Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine that can occur as a result of weakening of the bladder and/or pelvic floor muscles due to pregnancy or illness, neurological changes or when some type of effort is made, such as during physical activities, coughing or sneezing, for example.
This situation, which is also known as urine leakage, can happen in both men and women, being more frequently observed in women, especially older people, due to the natural weakening of the pelvic floor muscles.
In most cases, urinary incontinence can be controlled through changes in habits, but depending on the frequency of loss, the doctor may recommend the use of medication or surgery.
Symptoms of urinary incontinence
The main symptoms of urinary incontinence are:
- Involuntary loss of a small amount of urine, which can happen when carrying out movements, coughing, sneezing or practicing physical activity;
- Urgent urge to urinate, in some cases;
- Sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
As a consequence of the loss of urine, it is possible for the person to feel uncomfortable, have reduced self-esteem, avoid socializing with other people and feel more anxious and/or depressed.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of urinary incontinence must be made by a urologist, gynecologist or general practitioner, and is initially made by analyzing the moment when urine loss occurs and whether or not there are associated symptoms. This way, the doctor can identify the cause associated with urinary incontinence and, thus, indicate the most appropriate treatment.
To investigate urinary incontinence, make an appointment with your nearest urologist:
Furthermore, to confirm incontinence and identify the cause, the doctor may recommend performing a urodynamic test, which allows the contraction of the urinary muscles during urination to be assessed.
Causes of urinary incontinence
The main causes of urinary incontinence are:
- Pregnancy;
- Post childbirth;
- Obesity;
- Practice of physical activity;
- Chronic cough, mainly seen in smokers;
- Sneezing
- Presence of tumors;
- Overactive bladder;
- Surgical procedures that can interfere with the sphincter nerves or the pelvic floor muscles;
- Neurological diseases;
- Diseases that compromise the bladder or increase abdominal pressure.
Furthermore, urinary incontinence is more likely to occur in older people due to the natural weakening of the pelvic floor muscle, which favors involuntary loss of urine.
Read too: Female urinary incontinence: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment
Types of urinary incontinence
Incontinence can be classified into some main types according to the way in which the involuntary loss of urine occurs, the main ones being:
1. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI)
Stress urinary incontinence, also called SUI, is where the loss of urine occurs when the person exercises, laughs or coughs, for example.
2. Urge urinary incontinence (UUI)
Urge urinary incontinence, also called UUI, is characterized by the loss of urine that is accompanied by the urgent urge to urinate, so that the person cannot reach the bathroom in time.
3. Mixed urinary incontinence
Mixed urinary incontinence is the combination of stress and urgency urinary incontinence, that is, the loss of urine occurs during movements at the same time as an urgent urge to urinate.
4. Overflow urinary incontinence
Overflow urinary incontinence occurs when the bladder is too full, resulting in the loss of small amounts of urine throughout the day, and may also be accompanied by the sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
5. Nocturnal enuresis
Nocturnal enuresis is a type of urinary incontinence that occurs in children over 5 years of age, in which the child involuntarily loses urine during the night, wetting the bed. Find out more about nocturnal enuresis.
How the treatment is carried out
In most cases, it is not necessary to undergo treatment for urinary incontinence, it is only recommended to change some habits, such as avoiding drinking a lot of fluids at night and urinating more frequently.
However, in cases where incontinence is frequent, causes discomfort and interferes with the person’s quality of life, it is important that the doctor is consulted so that the most appropriate treatment can be initiated, which may vary according to the cause and intensity of the problems. symptoms.
One of the treatment options is physiotherapy, which aims to strengthen the bladder muscles and pelvic floor, preventing urine loss throughout the day.
Furthermore, the doctor may recommend the use of anticholinergic medications that act by preventing bladder contraction, that is, the elimination of urine through the bladder, such as desmopressin, oxybutynin and imipramine, which should be used according to medical advice, in addition to specific medications according to the cause associated with incontinence. See more about remedies for urinary incontinence.
Read too: Desmopressin: what it is for and how to use it
In cases where changes in habits and the use of medication have not been successful, the doctor may recommend surgery to reinforce the ligaments of the urethra and promote its closure during effort, preventing incontinence, in addition to being able to be The application of botulinum toxin is indicated in some cases. Find out how surgery for urinary incontinence is performed.
