Incontinence in women is very common. It can strike just about any age group and even women with active lifestyles. Well, incontinence can be managed and treated.
However, due to the social stigma involved, women continue to suffer in silence, resulting in depression. In some cases, incontinence often strains the relationship between the patient and the caregiver.
Meanwhile, other women refrain from indulging in simple routine activities. Studies show half of older women may suffer from some form of incontinence.
This post provides valuable insights into urge incontinence in women
So, What is Urge Incontinence?
If you frequently have a desperate need to pee but can’t reach the bathroom in time, you probably have urge incontinence. The sudden urge can be triggered by hearing the sound of running water or simply by having a drink.
With this type of incontinence, there is a strong possibility that you may leak or rush to the bathroom even when your bladder is empty. This sudden need to pee might result due to spasms of the bladder muscles or due to nerve or muscle damage.
The damage might even result from an illness or infection of the bladder. Incontinence can be controlled, but it can completely bog you down, putting your daily life out of track.
Women with incontinence tend to have lower self-esteem and are prone to depression. They often stay at home to avoid embarrassment from leaks.
Here are some methods that could help women deal with urge incontinence:
1. Talk and Test
The first step towards effectively managing incontinence is to talk about it with your physician. Your doctor reviews your medical history and conducts some simple urine tests to check infection and whether you have stress incontinence or not.
This form of incontinence is triggered by cough, sneezing or exercise. These tests help you determine the cause of incontinence. Ultrasound can show changes in the bladder during pee or coughing.
2. Medical Treatments
For women who are unable to get adequate help through lifestyle modifications, medication is required. Options include:
Medicines
Several adult incontinence supplies that relax an overactive bladder can help treat urge incontinence:
- Anticholinergics: Relax your bladder muscles and minimize the frequency of the desire to urinate.
- Beta-3 Adrenergic Agonists: Cause muscles of the bladder to relax to enable it to hold more volume of leakage.
- Topical Estrogen: Used as a cream or a patch, it helps to fortify the pelvic floor muscles and the tissues surrounding the bladder and the urethra, particularly after women have reached the age of menopause.
Botox Injections
Injections with Botox directly into the bladder muscle can reduce spastic contractions. It is a non-invasive surgery, and many women with severe symptoms can benefit from it.
Nerve Stimulation
- Sacral Neuromodulation: A small gadget is placed in the body to modulate impulses of the nerve tissues between the bladder and the brain.
- Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS): A subtle surgery where a thin needle is inserted closely to the ankle area to activate nerves that control the bladder.
Surgical Options
Surgery is an option in treatment when all other treatments and management plans have not achieved the desired result. In severe cases, only profound surgeries like bladder augmentation or making a urinary diversion are considered.
3. Keep a Diary
In order to treat urge incontinence, it is important to keep track of how much water you consume and how often you leak.
Role of Diet in Managing Urge Incontinence
When it comes to managing incontinence, diet is quite important since some foods and drinks can aggravate the bladder and make symptoms worse.
Making food decisions with consideration can help lower the frequency and intensity of incontinence episodes.
1. Keeping a Food Diary
Keeping a meal journal might assist in determining individual triggers. Keep a food and drink journal and record any symptom changes. You can modify your diet over time to promote improved bladder control.
2. Exercise
You can consider Kegel exercises. With these exercises, muscles get stronger, and your bladder control will get better. To perform the Kegel exercise, follow these step-by-step instructions.
- Stopping the flow of pee in the middle can help you identify the right muscles.
- Take five seconds to contract these muscles, and then take another five seconds to release.
- Do this exercise three times a day, ten to fifteen times.
3. Bladder Training
To increase bladder capacity and control, bladder training entails progressively lengthening the intervals between toilet trips.
- First, arrange for toilet breaks at regular intervals, like every two hours.
- As your bladder adjusts, gradually increase the intervals between visits.
- Unless it is really necessary, resist the impulse to urinate outside of the scheduled time.
4. Lifestyle Changes
There are several ways to successfully control incontinence. A healthy lifestyle and weight happen to be the key. Quit smoking as it leads to chronic coughing, which can stress the bladder and cause leaks.
When to See a Doctor
It is imperative to get medical help if:
- Your everyday life is impacted by severe or regular leaks.
- An underlying disease may be indicated by abrupt onset of symptoms.
- There is no relief from home management techniques.
Incontinence Products
Incontinence supplies for women, like adult diapers, disposable briefs and adult pull up diapers, might help.
As you explore the best nighttime diapers online, you will come across sites that help you with free samples of adult incontinence products in a discrete manner right at your doorstep.
This way, you will end up committing your money to only those products that will work for you.
Encouragement for Women Facing Urge Incontinence
It might be difficult to deal with urge incontinence, but it’s crucial to keep in mind that you’re not alone.
The availability of several treatment choices and advancements in medical research have made it easier than ever to manage this condition.
Regain control by being proactive, seeking therapy, changing your lifestyle, and speaking with a healthcare provider. An active, complete life free from the limitations of urge incontinence is achievable with perseverance and patience.
