Incontinence Causes

The causes of incontinence can be diverse and can include any number of different factors. For example, many cases are due to the damage or weakening of pelvic floor muscles caused by childbirth, ageing, chronic coughs and sneezes, obesity and other medical conditions. Other causes could be weaknesses in the anal sphincter muscles that generally help control bowel movements. Significant incontinence can occur due to tumour growths in the bladder, prostate, or uterus.

Additionally, general incontinence may be caused by general weight loss. Women may lose significant amounts of weight due to pregnancy or menopause. These losses are often not recognized for their impact on incontinence. Men who are overweight may also lose significant amounts of fluid due to excess fluid retention in the blood vessels that supply the skin. The skin is the most common site for excess fluid retention in men due to the amount of body surface area compared to women's. This extra fluid retention may lead to lower urinary tract signs and symptoms.

Overactive bladder is associated with unusual urgency, frequency, and urge incontinence. It is the most common cause of overactive bladder in both men and women. It is caused by involuntary contraction of the bladder muscles (detrusor muscle). Slowing down or training the bladder may help. One or more medications are also often used to reduce urgency, frequency & urge incontinence.

A common cause of urinary incontinence in children is a condition called enuresis. Several different types exist, including primary bedwetting, nocturnal enuresis, diurnal enuresis, functional enuresis, etc. Primary enuresis is a condition where a child or young person wets their bed from the time they usually go to sleep until they typically wake up.  Nocturnal enuresis refers to both nocturnal enuresis and enuresis. In the translation of medical jargon, primary enuresis translates to "wetting outside of bedtime." Diurnal enuresis means "wetting during daytime." This form is common in children up to about 10 years old. Functional enuresis is when a child or young person has urinary incontinence combined with constipation and/or bowel problems. It is not well understood at this time but does occur.

There can be an underlying medical issue. This could be a disease of the kidneys, bladder, ureters, prostate gland, vagina, uterus (for females) or even the urethra (the small tube that passes urine from the bladder to outside). There can also be nerve damage to any area from diabetes, stroke, multiple sclerosis and other diseases/injuries.

The lactation system can also contribute to incontinence in men and women. This is mainly seen in women who have undergone a hysterectomy. The loss of the uterus can cause problems with bladder control and urinary incontinence.

It is essential to identify the primary cause of incontinence, especially primary urethral or bladder dysfunction. When this is corrected, most other reasons will resolve themselves over time. For example, most cases of prostate enlargement (BPH), which causes urinary incontinence, determine after menopause when excess testosterone is no longer produced by the body (it gradually decreases below normal after about 65 years of age).

It is essential to treat any underlying medical conditions. For example, if there is an abnormality in the urinary tract structure, surgical correction of this problem may be needed to treat urinary incontinence; however, in some cases, non-surgical treatments can be given. If drug therapy is required, your physician will work with you to identify the most appropriate drug with the most minor side effects for you.

Some patients can reduce or eliminate their need for medication by using pelvic floor muscle exercises or biofeedback techniques that help them learn how to properly contract and relax these muscles. Pelvic floor muscle exercises can strengthen these muscles so they can better hold in urine. Biofeedback is a way to detect the muscles' contraction and relaxation phases, which can help patients learn how to better control their bladder muscles. These exercises may also be used to help prevent incontinence.

A simple test can identify if one is at risk for developing incontinence. The test involves lifting the buttocks off of a chair or table while sitting or standing. If you cannot lift your hips much higher than this, you may want to discuss the possibility of using an adult diaper. Suppose you can lift your hips about an inch off the chair/table. In that case, waiting may not be necessary unless there are exceptional circumstances (such as recent surgery or other physical conditions).

It is essential to understand that any damage or weakening of the pelvic floor muscles will be urinary incontinent. The only way to prevent this problem is through good health habits. These include eating a healthy diet, avoiding tobacco use, avoiding constipation, and maintaining reasonable bladder control at all times. This means "going to the bathroom" before having any kind of bowel movement or urination. Laxatives are not advised because they can irritate the urinary tract causing urinary tract infections, which may require antibiotics.

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