What is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary Incontinence is the involutary loss of urine (without the control of the
individual). |
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What are the types of Urinary Incontinence?
There are 4 types of Urinary Incontinence:
- Stress Incontinence : Involuntary loss of urine when a person coughs,
laughs or exercises, thereby increasing intra-abdominal pressure. This is most often due
to weakness of the muscles of the pelvic floor or the Uretheral Sphincter which may
in turn be due to repeated child-birth, trauma and Genito-urinary surgery.
- Urge Incontinence: Leakage of urine, usually large volume, because of
inability to delay passing of urine even after sensation of bladder fullness. This maybe
due to many problems such as stones in the Ureters, Parkinson's, Infections, etc.
- Overflow Incontinence: Leakage of Urine, usually small amounts,
resulting from mechanical forces on an over distended bladder. This may occur if a person
has an acontractile bladder associated with diabetes, an enlarged prostate or in certain
spinal cord lesions.
- Functional Incontinence: Urinary leakage associated with inability to
pass urine properly because of impaired psychological functioning such as depression,
regression etc.
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What are the treatments available?
Depending on the medical, psychological or other conditions, the doctor may advise drugs,
exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, surgery or catheterisation. |
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Is Urinary Incontinence common in the elderly?
Yes, it is common in the elderly but with proper management and treatment continence can
be regained in most cases. |
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Should one see the doctor if he or she has incontinence?
Like headache or chest pain, incontinence is just a symptom which may be due to other
medical, surgical or psychiatric problems, and cannot be ignored assuming it to be part of
an ageing process. It is important to consult a Doctor for correct diagnosis and
treatment. |
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