URINE INCONTINENCE

Urinary incontinence is the sudden, uncontrolled loss of urine . Usually it is an annoying symptom that affects the quality of life of sufferers.

Is it a common condition?
Many people present with urinary incontinence at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, many are reluctant to talk about their problem to the urologist. Urinary incontinence is more common with advancing age. It is two times more common in women than men and affects more women who have given birth.

WHAT TYPES OF URINE INCONTINENCE ARE THERE?
1.Stress Incontinence.
Stress incontinence is the most common type of incontinence. This happens when a small amount of urine exits with various physical activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing , weight lifting etc.
This type of incontinence is common in women after childbirth or menopause .
It can also occur in men after prostatectomy , radiotherapy or any interference that may cause damage to the urinary sphincter.
2.Urge incontinence.
Urge incontinence is the second most common type of incontinence. In this type of incontinence , the bladder contractions without our will, leading to loss of urine .
Urge incontinence can occur with any activity, even when sitting still. People with urge incontinence go often to the toilet during the day and during the night.
The causes of urge incontinence can be:
• Inflammation of the bladder or urinary tract.
• Sphincter Disorders.
• Neurological disorders that affect nerves in the region, such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, trauma, and others.
• Stones and tumors of the bladder.
• Overactive bladder.
• Prostate Diseases.
3.Mixed urinary incontinence.
Mixed urinary incontinence occurs when effort incontinence and urge incontinence coexist. The coexistence of these two diseases makes it difficult to treat.
4.Continuous urinary incontinence.
Rarely under fistula, created after gynecological operations, resulting continuous urinary incontinence. Usually requires surgical correction.
5. Overflow incontinence.
Men with significant lower urinary tract obstruction problem, chronically present with incomplete urinary retention, which will lead to incontinence and complications of the upper urinary tract. This situation is a major disease that requires immediate treatment by a urologist.

HOW DOES A DOCTOR TEST FOR URINE INCONTINENCE?
If you have problems with urinary incontinence do not hesitate to see your urologist. Then, the urologist may ask you to make a few tests like urine test, clinical examination, ultrasound, urine flow, cystoscopy and specialized examinations such as a urodynamic test to verify the bladder problem.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT OF STRESS INCONTINENCE?

Women

• The pelvic floor exercises known as Kegel exercises are the best way to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
• Some women benefit from the use of hormones (estrogens) which strengthen the elasticity and strength of the muscles.
• Surgery is most often the method of choice for stress incontinence. Today, surgical techniques have been simplified in comparison with the past and are based on vaginal tape placement without tension .

Men

• The pelvic floor exercises known as Kegel exercises .
• Surgical treatment is based on fitting of special tapes or placement of an artificial sphincter in case of a total failure of the natural sphincter.

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT OF URGE INCONTINENCE?

Men and women

• Physiotherapy and training of the bladder .
• Medications. There are medicines that can relax the bladder.
• drug-physiotherapy combination.
• Address other causes that can cause incontinence such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones and tumors, prostate disease, etc.
• Surgical treatment - electrostimulation in severe cases of incontinence.
• Modern innovation are the BOTOX injections into the bladder.