Urinary incontinence is a problem found in many women. In some, it manifests itself when coughing, while in others, involuntary urination during sleep can be observed.
For some, the problem is more pronounced and manifests itself in the form of an uncontrolled desire to empty the bladder as soon as possible, and immediately after this urine begins to stand out involuntarily. Both manifestations of this disease can also be observed.
Urinary incontinence is a serious problem that gives a woman a lot of anxiety and can cause a violation of the quality of her life. All these problems can lead to very severe stress. But you do not need to despair when the first signs of the disease occur, since with proper 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 to the classification, these are such species as:
- stressful;
- urgent;
- mixed;
- functional.
In addition, an overactive bladder is secreted. Basically, there is a stressful form 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 stressful form of the disease is characterized by the fact that urine is excreted in a small amount.
Urgent urinary incontinence is a type of disease in which the patient begins to feel a desire to empty the bladder after a short period of time, and he cannot hold the urine. With this type of disease, the bladder contracts without brain control or is associated with hyperactivity. Sometimes it is impossible to determine the cause of the disease accurately.
In some women, a similar problem can occur even with a small amount of urine in the bladder, and there are absolutely no warning signs. Urine excretion can occur even with the sound of flowing water while drinking.
Mixed urinary incontinence is a combination of various types of bladder disorders. This problem is mainly provoked by an increase in intra-abdominal pressure and a great desire to empty the bladder. Especially often this is observed in older women.
With functional urinary incontinence, the problem is that a person for some reason cannot walk to the toilet on his own. In particular, this may be due to trauma, disability, mental illness.
An overactive bladder is a disease characterized by the fact that nerve endings send signals to the muscles of the bladder, provoking a very high activity.
Causes of the problem
There are several causes of urinary incontinence, among which are stressful loads and weight lifting. Because of this, involuntary urination may occur.
Often there is urinary incontinence in women after 50 years during menopause, and this is due to hormonal disorders. In addition, this process is due to the wear and tear of the body.
A difficult birth can cause pathologies of the ligaments and muscles of the pelvic area. 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 pregnancy. Overweight also leads to a problem. The disease can develop in the presence of gynecological diseases.
Main symptoms
Urinary incontinence at age 50 in women and at a younger age manifests itself in the form of signs such as:
- frequent urination;
- involuntary urination after physical exertion;
- a sensation of the presence of a foreign object in the vaginal area;
- feeling full of the bladder immediately after urination.
If the first signs of the disease occur, you should immediately visit a urologist for diagnosis and treatment. The doctor will conduct a urinary tract study 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 establish a diagnosis and select a treatment regimen. Initially, the doctor conducts a survey of the patient for complaints, clarifies whether there were pregnancies and childbirth, how they proceeded, whether the operation was performed on the pelvic organs, and when menopause occurred. In addition, research methods such as:
- Ultrasound of the bladder and kidneys;
- keeping a diary of urination;
- test with a urological pad.
In some cases, an urodynamic study may be required, in particular, uroflowmetry to evaluate urination. Cystometry may also be required to measure pressure in the bladder during filling. Based on the data received, the doctor can choose the most effective treatment method.
Treatment features
Depending on the cause of urinary incontinence in women, treatment is selected individually. Therapy involves the use of conservative or surgical techniques. If the disease is at an initial stage of development, then in this case, the doctor can prescribe electrical stimulation of the pelvic organs, physiotherapy exercises and acupuncture.
In addition, patients are usually prescribed general strengthening drugs that are injected directly into the tissues located near the urethra. Conservative therapy techniques include:
- treatment of respiratory diseases, chronic constipation;
- physiotherapeutic treatment;
- pelvic muscle training;
- the fight against obesity.
Often, conservative treatment of urinary incontinence in women after 50 years gives very good results, since such methods help strengthen the walls of the bladder. In very complex cases, the patient may be prescribed surgery. The operation is carried out using a variety of techniques and is aimed at creating additional support to maintain the bladder and prevent its displacement.
Drug treatment
Many patients are wondering about what to do with urinary incontinence and how exactly it is possible to quickly cope with an existing problem. For the treatment of a stressful type of illness, medications are prescribed that help increase muscle tone and strengthen the walls. In particular, the doctor may prescribe an adrenergic medicine for urinary incontinence, as it helps to eliminate their weakness. Acceptance of such medications will be quite advisable with hyperactivity of this organ.
In addition, antidepressants and estrogens are often used as part of complex therapy, which help strengthen muscle contraction. Such a medicine has a positive effect on the tissue of the bladder, increases tone. In general, 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 Tolterodin, Trospium chloride, Oxybutin. These medications can help fix a problem like organ hyperactivity. In addition, they have anesthetic effects and have an antispasmodic effect. In the presence of infections and bacteria in the urinary tract, antibacterial agents can additionally be prescribed.
In order for drug therapy to bring a positive result, you need to additionally combine it with the implementation of special intimate gymnastics. Kegel exercises and the use of special weights will help eliminate muscle weakness.
Physiotherapy
The treatment of this disease must necessarily be comprehensive, as this will achieve a more positive result. With muscle weakness, it is necessary to perform special exercises for urinary incontinence, which will further strengthen the muscles of the perineum and abdominal press.
Kegel special 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 contracted in this case, and you need to train.
To do this, 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 need to be combined with the simplest gymnastic complex, in particular, to perform exercises such as “scissors”, “birch”, “bicycle”. During the day, you can wear a small ball, sandwiched between your legs, placing it high enough.
Holding vaginal muscles in weights can do a good job with urinary incontinence. To do this, take weights weighing 50 grams, place them in the vaginal cavity and walk around the house with them. Wear such weights 3-4 times during the day.
Physiotherapeutic Techniques
Regardless of the cause of urinary incontinence, treatment with physiotherapeutic methods is prescribed without fail, as they help stimulate the muscles of the bladder. For therapy are used:
- paraffin therapy;
- electrophoresis using antispasmodics;
- muscle myostimulation;
- exposure to ultrasound;
- galvanic effect.
When conducting electrophoresis, it is necessary to use solutions of "Eufillin", "Atropine", "Platifillina." The current density must be adjusted using the apparatus. To completely eliminate the problem, at least 12 procedures are required.
They help to cope with the disease of the application with paraffin. They have an antispasmodic effect on a specific area and relax the muscles. You can always get rid of the disease with the help of ultrasound. Under the influence of ultrasonic waves, the 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 fix the existing problem. After the treatment, it is important to lead a healthy lifestyle, as well as learn how to correctly distribute physical activity.
Folk remedies
Home treatment for 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 tools such as tea made from young twigs of cherries or cherries. You need to take this tool daily 30 minutes before eating food. A tincture made from crushed leaves of plantain, which must be poured with hot water and left to cool completely, has a good effect.
A decoction of blueberries helps to relieve inflammation and accelerate treatment. For its preparation, you can use fresh or dried raw materials. To treat the stressful 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 nighttime incontinence, you can use the infusion of sage or bird cherry.
Surgical intervention
In some cases, surgery is performed for urinary incontinence, in particular with an urgent and stressful form of the disease. The doctor should make a decision regarding surgery only after drug therapy has not brought any result. There are many different methods to fix the problem. Some of them are quite effective and minimally invasive.
Before surgery, a woman should undergo a comprehensive examination. It is very important to consider the age of the patient, the presence of chronic diseases and the characteristics of the body. 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 transplants, 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 excreted through the inguinal region.
Thanks to the three-dimensional image of the desired area on the screen, you can avoid many errors during the operation. The doctor will be able to very quickly eliminate prolapse of the urethra and genitals, as well as adjust the location of the urethra. Spilled product is not rejected by the body and serves for a long 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.
For several days, a woman is contraindicated in strong physical exertion. Also, several months you need to refrain from sexual intercourse. A positive result can be obtained only with strict observance of all the doctor's prescriptions. In the recovery period, drug therapy may be indicated.
Possible complications
The complications of this complex disease may well include such aspects as:
- emotional aspects;
- violation of life;
- specific aspects.
Incontinence can have very serious psychological consequences and emotional effects. A woman feels helpless and awkward. This problem can adversely affect work, and depression develops as a result.
People with urinary incontinence are forced to radically change their usual way of life and adapt to new circumstances. This disease is a particularly serious problem for the elderly. It leads to a loss of independence.
Prophylaxis
Preventive measures are based on the timely emptying of the bladder, regular gymnastics and weight control. It is also necessary to periodically undergo examinations by a gynecologist, endocrinologist and therapist, especially in old age. It is a competent specialist who is able to timely detect the first signs, the manifestation of which is completely not felt.
Also, for the purpose of prevention, it is necessary to abandon smoking, since smoke intensifies coughing attacks, which can provoke involuntary urination. It is also important to ensure a balanced diet so that all the required vitamins and minerals enter the body.
With all the recommendations of the doctor, you can achieve a good result in the treatment and quickly eliminate the disease.