Incontinence refers to the unintentional passing of urine when it is least expected. It is a common issue that affects millions of people, especially women. If you have been having leaks while lifting weights at the gym or when you sneeze, cough, or laugh, you probably have urinary incontinence, and finding the right treatment can help.
What Are The Different Types Of Urinary Incontinence (UI)?
There are several types of UI, including:
· Stress Incontinence: Stress incontinence happens when you start leaking because your bladder is under pressure, for example, when you laugh, sneeze, or cough. With the right stress incontinence treatment,you can control or avoid the problem all together.
· Total Incontinence:If the bladder is unable to store urine at all, it may result ininvoluntary urinary leaks. One may also experience constant and frequent leaking throughout the day.
· Overflow Incontinence:Theother type of UI is overflow incontinence. It refers to chronic urinary retention when one is unable to empty their bladder fully. This can also cause frequent urinary leaks.
· Urge Incontinence: This leads to urinary leaks when there is a sudden and intense urge to urinate.
What Causes Urinary Incontinence?
There are dozens of reasons why you may be suffering from urinary incontinence. Whichever the type, some of the common reasons include damaged and weak pelvic floor muscles. It may also be because the detrusor muscles (the muscles that control the bladder) are overactive. Additionally, if you have a blockage or obstruction of the bladder, which may prevent it from fully emptying, there may be urine leaking involuntarily.
Other issues may increase the symptoms or chances of getting urinary incontinence. Some of the other contributing factors include:
· Obesity or being overweight
· A family history of incontinence
· Pregnancy and natural or vaginal birth
· Increase in age, especially for women who have passed the menopause age
When to Seek Medical Advice
Stress incontinence usually happens if the pelvic floor muscles get weak or damaged. The damage or weakness may be because of natural childbirth, surgery, or natural aging processes such as menopause. If you have any type of UI, you should see a physician to advise you on the best remedies. If you can change your lifestyle and adopt exercise options such as Kegel exercises, you can treat these issues and find relief.