Women's Bladder Control - Bladder Control Remedies
Urinary incontinence is a condition experienced by millions of women in the US. In this condition an involuntary urine output is caused due to loss of urinary bladder control. Women's bladder control issues cause them considerable public embarrassment and inconvenience and keep them away from enjoying many activities with friends and families. Older women are much more affected by urinary incontinence than young women. Pregnancy, menopause, childbirth and the structure of their urinary tract are reasons why at least twice as many women are affected by urinary incontinence as are men.
The condition occurs because of issues with muscles and nerves that are associated in the holding or releasing of urine from the urinary bladder. Three types of incontinence are found in women. These include stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and functional incontinence due to an overactive bladder.
Stress incontinence occurs in a large number of women and the stress is caused due to weakening of or damage to the scaffolding that helps support their bladder. These changes take place during pregnancy, menopause, or childbirth. The usual symptoms of stress related incontinence are the involuntary leakage of urine from the bladder due to sneezing coughing, or other actions that put pressure on the bladder. As a result, pelvic floor muscles, the vagina, and ligaments that support the bladder weaken.
This weakness translates into improper closure of the urethra and consequently into urine leakage during moments of physical stress. Hormonal changes during a menstrual cycle and menopause cause increase in stress-related incontinence in women.
Urge incontinence is related to improper bladder contractions after you feel the urge to urinate. Nerve signal or muscular anomalies or damage are the cause of urge incontinence. The symptoms of urge incontinence include leakage of urine during sleep, after drinking some water, touching it, or simply hearing the sound of it running from a tap. Certain diuretics or anxiety can actually worsen the condition. Uncontrolled diabetes and hyperthyroidism also lead to a greater urinating urge.
An overactive bladder on the other hand basically signals evacuation of the bladder at the wrong time. It does so when it causes the bladder muscles to squeeze without warning. Due to this wrong signaling, women void their bladders even more frequently than the 7 times daily that is normal. The symptoms of an overactive bladder include an abnormally high urinary frequency, nocturia, urge incontinence, and urinary urgency.
The diagnosis for urinary incontinence is through an assessment made on the basis of medical history and symptoms and certain tests. The treatment for urinary incontinence includes a combination of behavioral therapy that includes Kegel exercises and timed voiding. Medicines for an overactive bladder include anticholinerics to relax bladder muscles. Biofeedback is also a technique that is used to gain control over bladder muscles. Neuromodulation is used in the case of urge incontinence.
Treatment for women's bladder control also includes collagen and carbon sphere injections, midurethral slings, and surgery for stress incontinence.
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