Urinary incontinence is a problem that many women experience. Some people experience it when they cough, while others may experience involuntary urination during sleep.
For some, the problem is more pronounced and manifests itself in the form of an uncontrollable desire to empty the bladder as quickly as possible, and immediately after this, urine begins to involuntarily pass. Both manifestations of the disease may also occur.
Urinary incontinence is a serious problem that gives a woman a lot of anxiety and can impair her quality of life. All these problems can lead to a lot of stress. But there is no need to despair at the first signs of the disease, since with the right treatment it is quite possible to get rid of the existing disorder.
Classification
Doctors say that there are several types of urinary incontinence, differing in certain ways. In particular, according toclassifications, these are types such as:
- stress;
- urgent;
- mixed;
- functional.
In addition, an overactive bladder is isolated. Basically, there is a stress type of urinary incontinence when sneezing, laughing, coughing, physical activity and many other actions associated with an increase in intra-abdominal pressure. This is the most common disease that often occurs in old age.
Unlike many other types of this pathology, the stress form of the disease is characterized by the fact that urine is excreted in a small amount.
Urgent urinary incontinence is a type of illness in which the patient begins to feel the desire to empty the bladder after a short period of time, and he cannot hold urine. In this type of disease, the bladder contracts without brain control or is associated with hyperactivity. Sometimes it is impossible to determine the exact cause of the disease.
Some women have this problem even with a small amount of urine in the bladder, and there are absolutely no warning signs. Urination can occur even at the sound of running water while drinking.
Mixed urinary incontinence is a combination of different types of bladder problems. This problem is mainly provoked by an increase in intra-abdominal pressure and a great desire to empty the bladder. This is especially common in older women.
For functional incontinenceurine problem is that a person for some reason can not walk to the toilet on his own. In particular, this may be due to injury, disability, mental illness.
Overactive bladder is a disease characterized by the fact that the nerve endings send signals to the muscles of the bladder, causing it to become very active.
Causes of the problem
There are several causes of urinary incontinence, among which it is necessary to highlight increased stress and weight lifting. This may cause involuntary leakage of urine.
Urinary incontinence is often observed in women after 50 years of age during menopause, and this is due to hormonal disorders. In addition, such a process is caused by the wear and tear of the body.
Difficult childbirth can cause pathologies of the ligaments and muscles of the pelvic region. Urinary incontinence can occur in case of rupture of the muscles of the perineum and pelvis during childbirth, if the fetus is very large, with polyhydramnios or multiple pregnancies. Excess weight also leads to problems. The disease can develop in the presence of gynecological diseases.
Main symptoms
Urinary incontinence at 50 years old in women and at a younger age manifests itself in the form of signs such as:
- frequent urge to urinate;
- involuntary release of urine after exercise;
- feeling of a foreign object in the vaginal area;
- feeling full bladder immediately after urination.
When the firstsigns of the disease, you should immediately visit a urologist for diagnosis and treatment. The doctor will conduct a study of the urinary tract in order to accurately understand the degree of neglect of the problem and the features of its course.
Diagnostics
To determine the causes and treatment of urinary incontinence in women, a comprehensive examination is required to make a diagnosis and select a treatment regimen. Initially, the doctor interviews the patient for complaints, clarifies whether there were pregnancies and childbirth, how exactly they proceeded, whether an operation was performed on the pelvic organs, and when menopause occurred. In addition, research methods such as:
- Ultrasound of the bladder and kidneys;
- pee diary;
- urological pad test.
In some cases, a urodynamic study, in particular uroflowmetry, may be required to assess urinary performance. Cystometry may also be needed to measure the pressure in the bladder during filling. Based on the data obtained, the doctor can choose the most effective treatment method.
Features of treatment
Depending on the cause of urinary incontinence in women, the treatment is selected purely individually. Therapy involves the use of conservative or surgical techniques. If the disease is at the initial stage of development, then the doctor may prescribe electrical stimulation of the pelvic organs, physiotherapy exercises and acupuncture.
In addition, patients must be prescribed restorative drugs that are injected directly into the tissues located near the urethra. Conservative therapies include:
- treatment of respiratory diseases, chronic constipation;
- physiotherapy treatment;
- pelvic floor muscle training;
- fight against obesity.
Often, conservative treatment of urinary incontinence in women over 50 gives very good results, since such techniques help strengthen the walls of the bladder. In very difficult cases, the patient may be prescribed surgery. The operation is performed using a variety of techniques and is aimed at creating additional support to support the bladder and prevent its displacement.
Medicated treatment
Many patients are wondering what to do with urinary incontinence and how exactly you can quickly deal with the existing problem. For the treatment of a stressful type of illness, medications are necessarily prescribed that help increase muscle tone and strengthen the walls. In particular, the doctor may prescribe an adrenergic incontinence medication, as it helps relieve their weakness. Taking such medications will be quite appropriate for hyperactivity of this organ.
In addition, antidepressants and estrogens are often used as part of complex therapy, which help to increase muscle contraction. This drug has a positive effecteffect on the tissues of the bladder, increases tone. Basically, with urinary incontinence after 50 years, women are prescribed the drug "Driptan", but the choice of medication largely depends on the characteristics of the course of the disease and the severity.
Sometimes it is possible to prescribe such medications as Tolterodine, Trospium Chloride, Oxybutin. These medicines will help eliminate such a problem as organ overactivity. In addition, they have an anesthetic effect and have an antispasmodic effect. In the presence of infections and bacteria in the urinary tract, additional antibacterial agents may be prescribed.
In order for drug therapy to bring a positive result, you need to additionally combine it with the performance of special intimate gymnastics. Kegel exercises and the use of special weights will help eliminate muscle weakness.
Therapeutic gymnastics
The treatment of this disease must be comprehensive, as this will achieve a more positive result. With muscle weakness, be sure to perform special exercises for urinary incontinence, which will help further strengthen the muscles of the perineum and abdominals.
Special Kegel exercises are very popular, as they are highly effective and easy to perform. Initially, you need to determine the location of the required muscles. To do this, in the process of urination, you need to suspend this natural process for a while, and then finish it. Those muscles that have contracted at the same time need to be trained.
To do this, you need to lie on the bed, take the most comfortable position. Then alternately strain and gradually relax the required muscles of the perineum. To better strengthen the walls of the bladder, all these exercises must be combined with the simplest gymnastic complex, in particular, perform such exercises as “scissors”, “birch”, “bicycle”. During the day, you can wear a small ball, holding it between your legs, placing it high enough.
One good way to deal with urinary incontinence is to hold weights with your vaginal muscles. To do this, you need to take weights weighing 50 grams, place them in the vaginal cavity and walk around the house with them. You need to wear such weights 3-4 times during the day.
Physiotherapy techniques
Regardless of the cause of urinary incontinence, treatment with physiotherapy techniques is mandatory, as they help to stimulate the muscles of the bladder. For therapy use:
- paraffin therapy;
- electrophoresis with antispasmodics;
- muscle myostimulation;
- exposure to ultrasound;
- galvanic action.
When conducting electrophoresis, solutions of "Eufillin", "Atropine", "Platifillin" should be used. The current density must be adjusted using the apparatus. A minimum of 12 procedures are required to completely eliminate the problem.
Well help to cope with the disease applications with paraffin. They have an antispasmodic effect on a certain areaand relax the muscles. You can permanently get rid of the disease with the help of ultrasound. Under the influence of ultrasonic waves, the blood circulation of the pelvic floor is normalized. To normalize the condition of the urethra, you need to go through at least 12 procedures.
With a competent approach, you can very quickly eliminate the existing problem. After treatment, it is important to lead a he althy lifestyle, as well as learn how to properly distribute physical activity.
Folk remedies
Home treatment of urinary incontinence also involves the use of traditional medicine. However, it is worth remembering that the choice of one or another remedy is carried out only after consulting a doctor, since self-medication can provoke an even greater deterioration in well-being and various kinds of complications.
For treatment, you can use remedies such as tea made from young twigs of cherries or sweet cherries. Take this remedy daily 30 minutes before eating. A tincture made from crushed plantain leaves, which must be poured with hot water and left to cool completely, has a good effect.
Decoction of blueberries helps relieve inflammation and speed up treatment. For its preparation, you can use fresh or dried raw materials. To treat the stress form of the disease, you can use a decoction prepared on the basis of knotweed, hop cones, St. John's wort and valerian. In the treatment of bedwetting, you can use an infusion of sage or bird cherry.
Surgery
In some casesan operation is performed for urinary incontinence, in particular with an urgent and stress form of the disease. The doctor should make a decision regarding surgical intervention only after drug therapy has not brought any result. There are many different techniques to fix the problem. Some of them are quite effective and minimally invasive.
Before the operation, a woman must undergo a comprehensive examination. It is very important to take into account the age of the patient, the presence of chronic diseases and the characteristics of the organism. The operation will help:
- eliminate signs of urgency;
- normalize urination;
- eliminate the anatomical displacement of the pelvic organs.
In modern medicine, the use of artificial grafts, namely, prolene loops, has become quite widespread. During the operation, the doctor uses a curved needle, then the loop is inserted into the urethra, which ensures the maintenance of the urethra. The doctor fixes the loop in the required position and checks its adhesion to adjacent tissues. Then it is displayed on the abdominal wall. In addition, it can be removed through the groin.
Thanks to the three-dimensional image of the required area on the screen, many errors can be avoided during the operation. The doctor will be able to quickly eliminate the prolapse of the urethra and genital organs, as well as adjust the location of the urethra. Prolene product is not rejected by the body and lasts forlong time. Gradually, this loop is overgrown with tissues, which provides additional support for the urethra. The operation is quite complicated and requires a long stay of the patient in the hospital. After the intervention, there are no traces and scars.
Strong physical activity is contraindicated for a woman for several days. Also, a few months you need to refrain from sexual intercourse. A positive result can be obtained only with strict observance of all doctor's prescriptions. During the recovery period, drug therapy may be indicated.
Possible Complications
Complications of the course of this complex disease can be attributed to such aspects as:
- emotional aspects;
- violation of life;
- specific aspects.
Urinary incontinence can have very serious psychological and emotional effects. The woman feels helpless and awkward. This problem can have a negative impact on work, resulting in depression.
People with urinary incontinence are forced to radically change their habitual lifestyle and adapt to new circumstances. This disease is especially serious for the elderly. It leads to loss of independence.
Prophylaxis
Preventive measures are based on the timely emptying of the bladder, regular exercise and weight control. It is also necessary to periodically undergo examinations with a gynecologist, endocrinologist and therapist, especially inadvanced age. It is a competent specialist who is able to timely detect the first signs, the manifestation of which is not felt at all.
Also, for the purpose of prevention, you need to stop smoking, as smoke increases coughing attacks, which can provoke involuntary urination. It is also important to ensure a balanced diet so that the body receives all the required vitamins and minerals.
If you follow all the recommendations of the doctor, you can achieve a good result in the treatment and quickly eliminate the disease.
