Editorji Exclusive: All you need to know about urinary incontinence; here’s how to deal with it

Urinary Incontinence, in simple terms, means losing control over the release of urine. Most women face this problem post-deliveries or at their menopausal age, but are reluctant to admit it due to fear of social stigma. Urinary Incontinence is affecting the lifestyle of thousands of women, however, very few know that it is medically treatable and avoidable.

Urogynaecologist Dr. Veena Chaudhary of Rahee Health Care shares simple tips that will help women overcome urinary incontinence. Here's all you need to know.

Types of urinary incontinence

• Stress Incontinence which is known to cause urine leak in women if they cough, sneeze or laugh loudly
• Urge Incontinence in which the concerned individual is unable to control the release of urine even for a shorter duration
• Mixed Incontinence in which we can see symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence

Symptoms of urinary incontinence

• Discomfort or pain or burning sensation while urinating
• Sudden urge to release urine
• Increased frequency of urinating and feeling of incomplete emptying
• Urine Leak and the necessity of using pads continuously

Causes of urinary incontinence

Consumption of tea, tobacco and drinks leads to an increase in the prevalence of all types of incontinence among women. In mixed and stress incontinence, personal habit, delivery type, history of hysterectomy and asthma are also associated with incontinence.

Diagnosis and treatment of
urinary incontinence

Stress Incontinence

• Blood and Urine test is undertaken
• In case of any infection, medicines are prescribed
• Uroflowmetry test is conducted to understand the hesitancy levels and urine holding capacity of patients
• Sonography test can reveal the presence of any obstruction in urine path
• Urodynamic test is further conducted
• Post clinical examination and if needed, an operative procedure is suggested
• Mesh is inserted

Urge Incontinence

• Rule out the possibility of any infection
• Maintain a bladder diary
• Reduce consumption of tea and water
• Medication prescribed
• If required, a urodynamics study needs to be conducted

Tips that can be easily implemented by patients at home

• Kegels exercises
• Yoga butterfly pose
• Squatting pose

Dispelling myths

• Incontinence is treatable but there is a lack of awareness about the treatment options
• Patient can get relief from incontinence in just four to five days once he consults the doctor
• After the operative part is over, the patient can resume a regular lifestyle within 24 hours
• Recurrence percentage can be solved depending on the case history of the patient
• Treatment of urinary incontinence is not expensive
• Stress-related incontinence cannot be controlled simply by medicines, it needs surgical intervention

(Inputs from renowned UroGyaecologist Dr. Veena Choudhary, (MBBS), Rahee Health Care in Pune)