The severity of urinary incontinence, or the loss of bladder control, can range from the occasional leakage of urine when you cough or sneeze to having a sudden, strong urge to urinate that prevents you from reaching a toilet in time.
Urinary incontinence affects both men and women of all ages, and although it tends to occur more frequently as people age, it is not a natural part of getting older.
Causes
A thorough evaluation by your doctor can help identify the cause of your incontinence. Urinary incontinence is not a disease; rather, it is a symptom that can be brought on by daily habits, underlying medical conditions, or physical issues.
Temporary urinary incontinence
Diuretics are substances that stimulate the bladder and increase the amount of urine you produce. Examples of such substances include:
· Alcohol
· Caffeine
Sparkling water and carbonated beverages
· Artificial sweeteners
· Chocolate
· Chili peppers
Acidic, sweet, or spicy foods, especially citrus fruits
Sedatives, muscle relaxants, and drugs to lower blood pressure and heart rate
Vitamin C in high doses
Another condition that is easily managed and may contribute to urinary incontinence is:
·Urinary tract infection.Strong urges to urinate and occasionally incontinence can result from infections irritating your bladder.
·Constipation.Many of the nerves in the rectum, which is connected to the bladder and where hard, compacted stool is stored, are overactive when there is hard, compacted stool in the area, which increases the frequency of urination.
Persistent urinary incontinence
Additionally, persistent urinary incontinence may result from underlying physical issues or modifications, such as:
·Pregnancy.Stress incontinence may be brought on by hormonal adjustments and the growing fetus’ weight.
·Childbirth.A dropped (prolapsed) pelvic floor, where the bladder, uterus, rectum, or small intestine protrude from their normal positions into the vagina, can be caused by vaginal delivery, which can weaken the muscles necessary for bladder control as well as harm bladder nerves and supportive tissue.
·Changes with age.As you get older, involuntary bladder contractions increase in frequency and bladder storage capacity may be affected by aging of the bladder muscle.
·Menopause.A decline in the lining of the bladder and urethra, which can exacerbate incontinence, is caused by a decrease in estrogen production in women after menopause.
·Hysterectomy.Any procedure that affects a woman’s reproductive system, such as removing the uterus, may harm the pelvic floor muscles that support it, which can cause incontinence. The bladder and uterus are supported by many of the same muscles and ligaments in women.
- Enlarged prostate.Incontinence frequently results from benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition that causes the prostate gland to enlarge, especially in older men.
- Prostate cancer.Although untreated prostate cancer in men can be linked to urge or stress incontinence, this association is less common and incontinence is more frequently a side effect of prostate cancer therapies.
- Obstruction.Urinary stones, which are hard, stone-like masses that form in the bladder, can occasionally cause urine leakage. Tumors anywhere along the urinary tract can obstruct the normal flow of urine, causing overflow incontinence.
- Neurological disorders.Urinary incontinence can be brought on by urinary signal interference, which can be brought on by conditions like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, a stroke, a brain tumor, or a spinal injury.
Symptoms
While some people lose small to moderate amounts of urine more frequently than others, many people occasionally experience minor urine leaks.
Urinary incontinence comes in a variety of forms.
·Stress incontinence.When your bladder is compressed, such as when you cough, sneeze, laugh, exercise, or lift something heavy, urine leaks.
·Urge incontinence.Urge incontinence can be brought on by a mild condition like an infection or a more serious condition like a neurologic disorder or diabetes. You experience a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine.
·Overflow incontinence.Your bladder doesn’t completely empty, which causes you to frequently or continuously dribble urine.
·Functional incontinence.You can’t unbutton your pants quickly enough if you have severe arthritis, for example, or if you have a mental disability that prevents you from making it to the bathroom in time.
·Mixed incontinence.There are various urinary incontinence symptoms that you experience.
Risk factors
You’re more likely to get urinary incontinence if you have the following factors:
·Gender.Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and typical female anatomy all contribute to the higher prevalence of stress incontinence in women, while men with prostate gland issues are more likely to experience urge and overflow incontinence.
·Age.Age-related changes decrease the amount of urine your bladder can hold and raise the likelihood of involuntary urine release. The muscles in your bladder and urethra also lose some strength as you age.
·Being overweight.Being overweight puts more strain on the muscles that surround and support your bladder, weakening them and making it possible for urine to escape during coughing or sneezing.
·Smoking.Use of tobacco products may make you more susceptible to incontinence.
·Family history.Your chance of getting the condition is higher if a close relative already has it, particularly if it is urge incontinence.
·Other diseases.You may be more susceptible to incontinence if you have diabetes or a neurological condition.
Complications
Chronic incontinence may result in the following complications:
·Skin problems.Skin that is frequently wet can become infected, rashes, or sores.
·Urinary tract infections.Urinary tract infections are more likely to recur if you have incontinence.
·Impacts on your personal life.Relationships at work, home, and in social settings can all be impacted by urinary incontinence.
Prevention
Even though urinary incontinence isn’t always avoidable, there are some things you can do to lower your risk:
· Maintain a healthy weight
· Practice pelvic floor exercises
Keep acidic foods, alcohol, and other bladder irritants to a minimum.
Consume more fiber to avoid constipation, which can lead to urinary incontinence.
Avoid smoking or seek assistance to stop.
HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES
There are many effective medicines available in homoeopathy for urinary incontinence, but the choice depends on the individuality of the patient, taking mental and physiological factors into account. Homoeopathy is a rapidly expanding system that is practiced all over the world. Its strength lies in its evident effectiveness as it takes a holistic approach towards the sick individual.
Age-related polyuria, particularly in diabetic patients, weak kidneys, frequent urges to urinate, and increased urea indicator and phosphate elimination are all symptoms of ALFALFA Q.
ALUMINA 30—Bladder muscles that are paretic, which require straining at the stool in order to urinate, frequent urges to urinate in elderly people with slow flow, difficulty starting, and feelings of weakness in the genitalia and bladder.
BARYTA CARB 30—Incontinence: the urge to urinate but inability to hold urine in the bladder, especially in elderly people.
CANTHARIS 30—Cystitis-related incontinence accompanied by an uncontrollable urge to urinate as well as intense burning, scalding, and cutting pains.
CAUSTICUM 200—Involuntary passage of urine on coughing, walking, blowing one’s nose, or sneezing. Involuntary during one’s first nighttime sleep and from the slightest excitement. Paralysis of the bladder due to prolonged urine retention and resulting incontinence.
CINA 30—Children who wet the bed more frequently during full moons may have worm problems, which may also cause urine that is turbid, white, milky, or that turns milky when standing.
CLEMATIS ERECTA 30After urinating, the urine may stop, start, or dribble, requiring effort to pass a few drops before a full stream can be released.
Incontinence, particularly in children, bed wetting in kids who have nightmares or night terrors about passing urine, having to get up several times during the night to urinate, and incontinence in elderly women who also experience involuntary stools.
GUAIACUM OFFICINALIS 30Sharp stitches while urinating or immediately after, constant desire, and irritable bladder in women.
IPECACUANHA 30— Coughing while passing urine.
KREOSOTUM 30Bed wetting in children. Urination that is hurried and involuntary. Must hurry when the urge to urinate arises. Bed wetting, especially in the early hours of the night.
LILIUM TIG. 30—Regular urging, complaints of uterine prolapse, constant pressure on the bladder, a constant need to urinate, and a ball-like sensation in the rectum.
NATRUM MURIATICUM 30—Involuntary urination while walking, sitting, laughing, or sniffling.
PAREIRA BRAVA 30He can only urinate when he gets down on his knees and presses his head firmly against the ground. —Constant urging, great strain, pain down the thighs.
SARSAPARILLA 30—Urine drips while sitting; can only pass urine when standing.
SECALE CORNUTUM 30Bedwetting among the elderly caused by incontinence, bladder paralysis, and urine retention despite futile urging.
SENECIO AUREUS 30Heat in the neck of the bladder, constant urging, and pain in the kidneys are all symptoms of the need to urinate.
SEPIA 200Involuntary urination, worse coughing, sneezing, laughing, hearing sudden noise, fright or inattention, especially in women. Slow urination with a bearing down sensation above the pelvis. Bed wetting during the first part of sleep.
STAHYSAGRIA 30— Frequent urging to urinate with scant or excessive discharge of watery urine, urinating in a thin stream or drop by drop; ineffective urging to urinate in newlywed women.
SULPHUR 200Frequent urination, especially at night; bed wetting; retention; even cold settles in the bladder; painful ineffective urination attempts; these are just a few of the symptoms.
Zingiber officinalis 30: Constant urge to urinate; after urinating, oozes drops.
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