Urinary Incontinence – causes, side effects and treatments at NaturalPedia.com

Urinary incontinence is a condition where a person cannot hold in urine. It is described as an involuntary leakage due to the loss or weakening of control over the urinary sphincter.

This condition has four different types:

• Stress incontinence – This occurs when the bladder feels pressured to take a leak; for example, when coughing or laughing
• Urge incontinence – This happens when the bladder feels a sudden, intense need to pass urine.
• Overflow incontinence (chronic urinary retention) – This occurs when a person fails to empty the bladder, which causes frequent leaking.
• Total incontinence – This occurs when the bladder has completely lost its ability to store urine.

Urinary incontinence happens to a lot of people. In fact, in the U.S., a quarter of the population experience this condition. However, women are more commonly diagnosed than men. About 30 percent of females aged 30-60 suffer from it.

Known risk factors and symptoms of urinary incontinence

The known risk factors which can increase the possibility of developing urinary incontinence include:

• Obesity – The extra weight puts extra pressure on the bladder.
• Smoking – It can lead to coughing which may trigger leakage.
• Gender – Women are more prone to developing it.
• Age – Older adults tend to have weaker muscles in the bladder and the urethra.
• Prostate disease (for men)

The primary symptom associated with urinary incontinence is the unintentional release of urine.

Body systems affected by urinary incontinence

The possible complications linked to urinary incontinence include:

• Skin issues – Due to the wetness and moistness of the skin, rashes, infections, and sores can develop.
• Urinary tract infection – Constantly holding back the urge to take a leak increases the chance of getting repeated urinary tract infection.
• Adverse impact on personal life – Leakage can be embarrassing and may affect a person’s social, work, and personal life.

Food items or nutrients that may prevent or relieve urinary incontinence

Preventing or alleviating urinary incontinence can be done by avoiding the following food items:

• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Tea
• Chocolate
• Sugar
• Carbonated drinks
• Spicy foods
• Citrus fruits
• Cranberry juice

Treatments, management options for urinary incontinence

Healthcare providers recommend doing these natural remedies to help treat urinary incontinence:

• Kegel exercises
• Losing the extra weight
• Training the bladder
• Cessation of smoking
• Acupuncture
• Hypnotherapy
• Cutting out caffeine
• Taking herbal treatments

Where to learn more

• Reverse urinary incontinence naturally with a rebounder
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• Herbal blend that includes horsetail found to reduce urinary incontinence and overactive bladder, without the side effects of prescriptions
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• Mesh implant providers exchange one toxin-leeching plastic for another, further outraging victims of the risky procedure

Summary

Urinary incontinence is the uncontrollable urge to release urine and empty out the bladder. This usually happens when a person’s control over the bladder’s muscle becomes weak. It has four types: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, overflow incontinence, and total incontinence.

Women, people who smoke, are obese and older than most are more at risk of developing the disease. Patients who experience urinary incontinence often describe its symptoms as the unintentional release of urine.

If this condition is left untreated, it can cause skin problems, repeated urinary tract infection, and can have a negative impact on a person’s life.

Drinks that contain caffeine and foods with added sugar are best avoided to prevent urinary incontinence. As for treatment, home remedies like kegel exercises, acupuncture, hypnotherapy, and eating a healthy diet to lose weight are recommended.

Sources include:

MedicalNewsToday.com

MayoClinic.org

Health.com 1

Health.com 2