World Urinary Continence Week is celebrated between June 17 and 23 to raise awareness about bladder and bowel problems.
Urinary incontinence causes the involuntary loss of bladder control, resulting in accidental loss of urine. It is a common condition that can range from occasional minor leaks to more frequent and serious problems.
“The combination of hormones and stretched muscles means that the muscles that control the bladder are weakened. This can lead to accidental leakage of urine,” Dr Ashwin Mallya, consultant, urologist and robotic uro-onco-surgeon, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told IANS.
“Urinary incontinence not only affects the bladder, but can also cause skin problems such as rashes and infections due to constant humidity. Additionally, it can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) and, in severe cases, can lead to kidney damage,” he added.
The doctor said it can also cause mental health problems such as “anxiety, depression and social isolation.” “Many people may begin to avoid social activities or situations in which they fear embarrassment, which can lead to social isolation and a reduced quality of life.”
The condition can affect people of all ages, but is more common among older adults, especially women during pregnancy and childbirth.
If it continues for a long time in women after delivery and without delivery, it is the point of concern that needs to be addressed, the health expert said.
Dr Arif Akhtar, senior consultant urology at Gurugram's Marengo Asia Hospital, told IANS that bladder control declines due to age-related changes such as weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and over- or under-activity. of the bladder muscles, which cause this condition.
“Stress incontinence can be caused by stretching of the pelvic muscles and increased bladder pressure during pregnancy and childbirth. Reduced urethral closure pressure and urogenital contraction are the results of menopause-induced estrogen reduction. “Overflow incontinence in men is the result of both benign prostatic hyperplasia and problems following a prostatectomy.”
Studies show that up to 45 percent of women and 15 percent of men in India suffer from some form of urinary incontinence. This disparity is largely due to differences in anatomy, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, which are unique risk factors for women.
"Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) with Kegel exercises and therapies to strengthen the pelvic muscles are just a few of the many strategies used to prevent urinary incontinence," Dr Arif told IANS.
Other approaches involve adopting a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a healthy weight as it reduces pressure on the bladder, staying active by doing regular exercise to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles; limit caffeine and alcohol, as they can irritate the bladder; quit smoking because smoking can cause coughing, which aggravates stress incontinence, doctors said.
Urinary incontinence causes the involuntary loss of bladder control, resulting in accidental loss of urine. It is a common condition that can range from occasional minor leaks to more frequent and serious problems.
“The combination of hormones and stretched muscles means that the muscles that control the bladder are weakened. This can lead to accidental leakage of urine,” Dr Ashwin Mallya, consultant, urologist and robotic uro-onco-surgeon, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, told IANS.
“Urinary incontinence not only affects the bladder, but can also cause skin problems such as rashes and infections due to constant humidity. Additionally, it can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) and, in severe cases, can lead to kidney damage,” he added.
The doctor said it can also cause mental health problems such as “anxiety, depression and social isolation.” “Many people may begin to avoid social activities or situations in which they fear embarrassment, which can lead to social isolation and a reduced quality of life.”
The condition can affect people of all ages, but is more common among older adults, especially women during pregnancy and childbirth.
If it continues for a long time in women after delivery and without delivery, it is the point of concern that needs to be addressed, the health expert said.
Dr Arif Akhtar, senior consultant urology at Gurugram's Marengo Asia Hospital, told IANS that bladder control declines due to age-related changes such as weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and over- or under-activity. of the bladder muscles, which cause this condition.
“Stress incontinence can be caused by stretching of the pelvic muscles and increased bladder pressure during pregnancy and childbirth. Reduced urethral closure pressure and urogenital contraction are the results of menopause-induced estrogen reduction. “Overflow incontinence in men is the result of both benign prostatic hyperplasia and problems following a prostatectomy.”
Studies show that up to 45 percent of women and 15 percent of men in India suffer from some form of urinary incontinence. This disparity is largely due to differences in anatomy, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, which are unique risk factors for women.
"Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) with Kegel exercises and therapies to strengthen the pelvic muscles are just a few of the many strategies used to prevent urinary incontinence," Dr Arif told IANS.
Other approaches involve adopting a healthy lifestyle, maintaining a healthy weight as it reduces pressure on the bladder, staying active by doing regular exercise to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles; limit caffeine and alcohol, as they can irritate the bladder; quit smoking because smoking can cause coughing, which aggravates stress incontinence, doctors said.
