What Can Cause Urinary Incontinence

What Happens In Enuresis

There are two kinds of enuresis:

• Someone with primary nocturnal enuresis has wet the bed since he or she was a baby. This is the most common type of enuresis.
• Secondary enuresis is a condition that develops at least 6 months or even several years after a person has learned to control their bladder.

The bladder is a muscular receptacle, or holding container, for pee . It expands as pee enters and then contracts to push the pee out.

In a person with normal bladder control:

• Nerves in the bladder wall send a message to the brain when the bladder is full.
• The brain then sends a message back to the bladder to keep it from automatically emptying until the person is ready to go to the bathroom.

But people with nocturnal enuresis have a problem that causes them to pee involuntarily at night.

The Effects Of Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation On Urinary Incontinence In Patients With Low Back Pain And Radiculopathy: A Retrospective Case Series Report

Mohsen Khamessipour1 and Michael Hall2*

1 Department Of Chiropractic Clinical Neurology, Research And Science Committee, IRCA, Tehran, Iran, Islamic Republic Of

2 Department Of Clinical Neurology And Clinical Sciences, Parker University, Dallas, Texas, United States

*Corresponding Author:

Tel:Received DateAccepted DateDOI:

Expert Review And References

• Urinary incontinence. American Society of Clinical Oncology . Cancer.Net. Alexandria, VA.: American Society of Clinical Oncology 2013.
• Landier W, Smith S. Late effects of cancer treatment. Yarbro, CH, Wujcki D, & Holmes Gobel B. . Cancer Nursing: Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett 2011: 71: pp. 1756-1779.
• Shenot PJ. Urinary incontinence in adults. Beers, M. H., & Berkow, R., . Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. Rahway, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories 2012.
• Vorvick LJ. Urinary incontinence. PubMed Health. U.S. National Library of Medicine 2011.

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Is Incontinence More Common In Women

Incontinence is much more commonly seen in women than in men. A large part of this is because of pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. Each of these events in a womans life can lead to bladder control issues. Pregnancy can be a short-term cause of incontinence and the bladder control issues typically get better after the baby is born. Some women experience incontinence after delivery because of the strain childbirth takes on the pelvic floor muscles. When these muscles are weakened, youre more likely to experience leakage issues. Menopause causes your body to go through a lot of change. Your hormones change during menopause and this can alter your bladder control.

Men can also experience incontinence, but it isnt as common as it is in women.

Comparison Between Canadian Men And Women

Odds ratios and 95% CI values for the associations among back problems, BMI, age, smoking habits, and UI among Canadians are presented in Table . Among adult Canadians, those with a diagnosis of UI were significantly more likely to also have been diagnosed with back problems . Men were slightly less likely to have a diagnosis of back problems than were women. In the fully adjusted model, both a diagnosis of UI and sex maintained their association with back problems being overweight or obese, increasing age, and smoking were all significantly associated with a diagnosis of back problems.

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Treating And Managing Urinary Incontinence

Today, there are more treatments and ways to manage urinary incontinence than ever before. The choice of treatment depends on the type of bladder control problem you have, how serious it is, and what best fits your lifestyle. As a general rule, the simplest and safest treatments should be tried first.

A combination of treatments may help you get better control of your bladder. Your doctor may suggest you try the following:

Urinary Incontinence Treatment Options

Depending on the cause of your condition, you may have several options to treat your urinary incontinence.

Some cases of urinary incontinence can clear up with a few lifestyle changes. These include:

• Drinking less fluid, especially caffeinated drinks
• Quitting smoking
• Losing excessive weight
• Avoiding constipation through diet changes and supplements
• Treating stressors such as chronic coughing

You can also talk to your OB-GYN about therapeutic and medical interventions, such as:

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Diagnosis Of Urinary Incontinence

The first step in treating incontinence is to see a doctor. He or she will give you a physical exam and take your medical history. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and the medicines you use. He or she will want to know if you have been sick recently or had surgery. Your doctor also may do a number of tests. These might include:

• Urine and blood tests
• Tests that measure how well you empty your bladder

In addition, your doctor may ask you to keep a daily diary of when you urinate and when you leak urine. Your family doctor may also send you to a urologist, a doctor who specializes in urinary tract problems.

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Urinary Incontinence And The Bladder

Spinal disorders or injuries that cause nerve compression or damage may cause Neurogenic Bladder Disorder also termed Bladder Dysfunction. NBD means the patient has problems with urination. The term neurogenic refers to the nerve tissues that supply and stimulate an organ or muscle to function properly. In the case of NBD, nerves that control the bladder and muscles involved in urination cause the bladder to be overactive or underactive.

NBD symptoms may include:

• Bladder does not completely empty
• Bladder overfills and pressure causes accidental leakage of urine
• Bladder is unable to hold urine

The brain and spinal cord are the central chains of command that transmit signals and messages to and from the bladder. Photo Source: 123RF.com.

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Urinary Tract Infections Can Interfere With Daily Life Intimacy And Even Land You In Hospital What Exactly Are They And How Can You Try And Avoid The Nasty Symptoms

A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection in the urinary system. Most UTIs are caused by E. coli bacteria, usually from the bowel. These bacteria are perfectly normal in the bowel but when they move across to the urinary system can result in an infection.

Symptoms to look out for:

• Pain, discomfort or a burning feeling when urinating
• Needing to urinate more often, or urgently
• Pain in the lower abdomen or back
• Urine that looks cloudy or has an unpleasant smell
• Only being able to urinate a few drops at a time
• Fever, feeling like vomiting, vomiting, feeling shaky .

Watch Your Liquid Intake Before Bed

If you suffer from Nocturnal Enuresis, its important to cut down on caffeine and alcohol in the evening. You should also ensure you only consume fluid up to 2 hours prior to bedtime. One tip is to make sure you visit the toilet right before bed. However, you do need to ensure you do not become dehydrated.

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Diagnosing The Cause Of Frequent Urination

If urinary frequency interferes with your lifestyle or is accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, back or side pain, vomiting, chills, increased appetite or thirst, fatigue, bloody or cloudy urine, or a discharge from the penis or vagina, it’s important to see your doctor.

To diagnose the cause of frequent urination, your doctor will perform a physical exam and take a medical history, asking questions such as the following:

• Are you taking any medications?
• Are you experiencing other symptoms?
• Do you have the problem only during the day or also at night?
• Are you drinking more than usual?
• Is your urine darker or lighter than usual?
• Do you drink alcohol or caffeinated beverages?

Depending on the findings of the physical exam and medical history, your doctor may order tests, including:

Blood Tests. Routine blood test can check for kidney function, electrolytes, and blood sugars

Urinalysis. The microscopic examination of urine that also involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds that pass through the urine.

Cystometry. A test that measures the pressure inside of the bladder to see how well the bladder is working cystometry is done to determine if a muscle or nerve problem may be causing problems with how well the bladder holds or releases urine. Thereâs a broader term called urodynamics that includes tests such as cystometry, uroflowmetry, urethral pressure and others.

Should I Drink Less Water Or Other Fluids If I Have Urinary Incontinence

No. Many people with urinary incontinence think they need to drink less to reduce how much urine leaks out. But you need fluids, especially water, for good health.

Women need 91 ounces of fluids a day from food and drinks.11 Getting enough fluids helps keep your kidneys and bladder healthy, prevents urinary tract infections, and prevents constipation, which may make urinary incontinence worse.

After age 60, people are less likely to get enough water, putting them at risk for dehydration and conditions that make urinary incontinence worse.12

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Relieving The Symptoms Of A Uti

• Make sure the person you care for drink enough to help flush out bacteria
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs can ease symptoms of a UTI like pain, fever and inflammation.
• Use a heating pad on the lower back or stomach to relieve pain or discomfort

* Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs is a class of analgesic medication that reduces pain, fever and inflammation.

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Alternative And Complementary Therapies

The treatment of urinary incontinence varies depending on the cause of the bladder control problem. In most cases, a physician will try the simplest treatment approach before resorting to medication or surgery.

Bladder habit training This is the first approach for treating most incontinence issues. The goal is to establish a regular urination schedule with set intervals between urination. A doctor will usually recommend urinating at one-hour intervals and gradually increasing the intervals between urination over time.

Pelvic muscle exercises Also called Kegel exercises , this exercise routine helps strengthen weak pelvic muscles and improve bladder control.

The person contracts the muscles used to keep in urine, holds the contraction for 4 to 10 seconds, then relaxes the muscles for the same amount of time.

It may take weeks or months of regular pelvic exercise to show improvement.

Another way to perform Kegel exercises is to interrupt the flow of urine for several seconds while urinating.

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Spinal Injuries Or Degeneration

When there is a disease or damage to a dogs spinal cord, inflammation can cause pressure on the nerves that are in control of bladder function. When this happens, your dog may suffer from urinary incontinence. This type of issue is quite common in German Shepherds and requires treatment from the veterinarian.

Types Of Dogs More Likely To Have Urinary Incontinence

While urinary incontinence can happen to any dog, it is more likely in certain types.

Female Dogs. Middle-aged to older spayed female dogs are prone to what is referred to as âspay incontinence.â This is a form of incontinence commonly caused by lower estrogen levels, which can lead to a loss of muscle tone in the urethra. In some cases, incontinence may be caused by a weak bladder. This condition is referred to as weak bladder sphincter incontinence. Your vet may call it Urethral Sphincter Mechanism Incompetence . It is the most common cause of urinary incontinence in spayed female dogs.

Older Dogs. Bladder leaks are not an uncommon occurrence in older dogs. This is because the urethral muscles are not as strong as they used to be. As your dog ages, they may have a harder time holding in urine.

Often, incontinence starts when dogs are mature or middle-aged. Several factors are thought to play a role in USMI. These include:

• Abnormal bladder positioning

• Urine culture
• Radiography

These tests can help determine the root cause and best treatment plans for your dog. A urinalysis may prove your dog has a bladder infection. Some other tests, like blood tests, may be necessary to rule out underlying causes like diabetes or Cushingâs disease. Radiographs can rule out urinary stones, and ultrasounds will rule out tumors or growth in the bladder. Depending on the findings of these tests, other tests may be necessary too.

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Male Urinary Incontinence Home Remedies

There are a number of home remedies and lifestyle adaptations that are known to assist with UI, as well as help to prevent it. They can either be tried on their own, such as for mild cases of UI, or combined with other medical treatments. However, a consultation with a urologist is recommended to evaluate each individual case. With expert medical assistance, these home remedies can be adopted in addition to receiving any other necessary treatments.

Finding The Cause Of Cystitis

It is important for doctors to find the cause of cystitis in several different groups. The cause should be found in

• Children

• Analgesics as needed

• Sometimes surgery

Cystitis is usually treated with antibiotics. Before prescribing antibiotics, the doctor determines whether the person has a condition that would make cystitis more severe, such as diabetes or a weakened immune system , or more difficult to eliminate, such as a structural abnormality. Such conditions may require more potent antibiotics taken for a longer period of time, particularly because the infection is likely to return as soon as the person stops taking antibiotics. People with such conditions may also have infections caused by fungi or unusual bacteria and may thus require something other than the most commonly used antibiotics.

For women, taking an antibiotic by mouth for 3 days is usually effective if the infection has not led to any complications, although some doctors prefer to give a single dose. For more stubborn infections, an antibiotic is usually taken for 7 to 10 days. For men, cystitis usually is caused by prostatitis Prostatitis Prostatitis is pain and swelling, inflammation, or both of the prostate gland. The cause is sometimes a bacterial infection. Pain can occur in the area between the scrotum and anus or in the read more , and antibiotic treatment is usually required for weeks.

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What Else Can I Do To Stop Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence happens for a variety of reasons beyond chemotherapy. When bladder leaks are related to stress or urge incontinence, there are ways you can try to alleviate symptoms without undergoing more formal treatment. If you are suffering from bladder leaks but arent currently able to obtain treatment for urinary incontinence, the following tips may be helpful.

• Practice diaphragmatic breathing

• Do a pelvic squeeze to engage your pelvic floor if you feel a cough or sneeze coming

• Drink enough water and ensure you empty your bladder whenever you need to

• Eat foods rich in fibre to support bowel health and reduce constipation

• Try yoga or Pilates to promote pelvic floor strength

• Do Kegels when you can, seeour guide to an effective Kegel to ensure you are targeting the pelvic floor

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Urinary Incontinence In Men: Causes Symptoms And Treatment

Written byDr. Victor MarchionePublished onAugust 8, 2016

Urinary incontinence or loss of bladder control in men is not uncommon, but it can be treated once the cause is determined.

Uncontrollable urine in men or urinary incontinence occurs in eleven to 34 percent of older men, but it is not just an issue that impacts the aging. Younger men can also experience UI due to health problems. Urinary incontinence also happens to women, but the biggest issue with UI in men is that they are less likely to speak with their doctors about it. This means that the statistics could actually be much higher in men that the current numbers indicate. Discussing the problem is the first step to addressing the symptoms and finding a treatment.

Urinary incontinence often results in the accidental leakage of urine from the body, so it can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. A man can feel a strong, sudden need to urinate just before losing a large amount of urine. Doctors refer to this as urgency incontinence. For some people, this condition keeps them from enjoying certain activities, including sports and exercise. It can also cause a lot of emotional distress.

There are different types of urinary incontinence, so it is important to get a proper assessment from a doctor to determine what type you might have and how to go address it. The types of UI men experience include urgency incontinence, stress incontinence, functional incontinence, overflow UI, and transient UI.

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