Urinary incontinence is a minor and annoying condition that most people, regardless of age, silently suffer. Incontinence affects more than 13 million Americans, and women are twice as likely to be affected as men. Urinary incontinence, defined as leakage of urine that has occurred at least once in the previous year, affects 25% to 45% of women. Urinary incontinence affects 20-30% of young women, 30- 40% of middle-aged women, and up to 50% of older women.
We agree that incontinence is common among older adults, and there’s a sound explanation. However, it has little to do with age and can be triggered by several factors. Are you one of the younger, more active people who suffer from bladder control problems?
Common Causes of Incontinence
For women, it usually starts shortly after birth. Imagine you go to an aerobics class, wear your medical compression socks, and are willing to lose a few extra pounds, but in the mid-stretch, you have an accident.
It feels humiliating and can significantly impact your emotional wellbeing, body, image, and sexuality. Despite this, many people tolerate incontinence unnecessarily. People do not know that it is a medical disease with treatment options. Many women believe that having children or going through menopause is natural and that using incontinence products is enough.
According to an expert who treats teenagers and women, incontinence is common in their 20s, 30s, and older.
Pregnancy:
As many as 4 in 10 women get urinary incontinence during pregnancy. As your unborn baby grows during pregnancy, it puts pressure on the bladder, urethra, and pelvic floor muscles. Over time, this pressure can weaken your pelvic floor muscles, leading to urinating or leakage problems if you aren’t using incontinence pads.
Most problems with bladder control during pregnancy go away after delivery when the muscles have had some time to heal. If you still have bladder problems six weeks after giving birth, talk to your doctor, nurse, or midwife.
Menopause:
Some women have bladder control problems after they stop having periods. Researchers believe that low levels of estrogen after menopause can weaken the urethra. The urethra helps hold urine in the bladder until you are ready to urinate.
Moreover, compared to men, women have a smaller urethra meaning there are fewer muscles to hold back urine in women, significantly increasing the risk of incontinence.
Aging:
Incontinence has many causes. It is not a normal part of aging, but you may be more at risk for the condition as you age. Like all muscles, the muscles of the bladder and urethra muscles lose some strength with age. It means that as you age, you may not be able to hold as much urine. But incontinence is not the only problem that comes with aging; it also has a complementary issue, you guessed it, Odors! And it is essential to use deodorants frequently to save them from embarrassment.
Urinary incontinence increases with age. Aging is associated with changes in the lower urinary tract, which predispose the elderly to UI. As we age, bladder capacity and contractility reduce, with reduced ability to defer voiding once the urge arises.
Diabetes:
Diabetes can cause nerve damage to your urinary tract, causing bladder problems. Being overweight and obese can also increase bladder problems such as urinary incontinence. Treating diabetes is essential in preventing issues that can lead to excessive urination.
What are the Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence?
The following are common symptoms of urinary incontinence. However, the symptoms can appear differently in each person. Symptoms may include:
- Running to the toilet and leaking urine before reaching the bathroom.
- Leaking urine on exercise or exertion.
- Urine leakage prevents activities.
- Leaking urine when coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
- Urine leakage that began or continued after surgery.
- Leaking urine that causes embarrassment.
- Constant feeling of wetness without the sensation of urine leakage.
- The sense of incomplete bladder emptying.
The symptoms of urinary incontinence can resemble other diseases or medical problems. Always see your doctor for a diagnosis.
Bottom Line:
Allowing urine incontinence to dictate your life, whatever your age, is terrible. Allow it to keep you at home and interfere with your normal activities. It only takes a little forethought. If you know you won’t be near a restroom, try using adult diapers and incontinence pads. When attending an event away from home, check out the bathroom locations and bring incontinence products with you all the time.
If you have bladder or bowel difficulties, seek medical or expert help because the symptoms will not go away on their own and may worsen over time. Visit AvaCare Medical and consult our medical experts about your problem. We’ll surely help you! Please email us at info@avacaremedical.com or call us at 1.877.813.7799 for more information.