Urinary incontinence, or in its medical name, Urinary Incontinence, is the uncontrollable and involuntary retention of urine. Urine transmitted from the kidneys to the bladder (urinary bag) is stored here. There are muscles in the lower part of the bladder, and these muscles are controlled by nerves and the brain, and they allow the bladder to be emptied. Urinary incontinence may occur due to the inability of these muscles to perform their normal duties. Urinary incontinence can sometimes be drop by drop, and sometimes it can be much more intense.
Leyla Altıntaş, Expert Physiotherapist from the Therapy Sport Center Physical Therapy Center, said that urinary incontinence affects the life of the person psychologically and socially, as well as causes hygienic problems, and that it can cause some urinary system diseases. .
What are the types of urinary incontinence?
Specialist Physiotherapist Leyla Altıntaş, who stated that urinary incontinence is divided into some subgroups according to its types, listed the following items:
1-Stress incontinence: It is a type of urinary incontinence due to increased intra-abdominal pressure such as coughing, sneezing, laughing or lifting heavy.
2-Urge incontinence: It refers to the involuntary leakage of urine that occurs with the sudden urge to urinate. It is the most common type of urinary incontinence in elderly patients.
3-Mixed type incontinence: It is a type of urinary incontinence in which stress and urge urinary incontinence (incontinence) are seen together.
4-Overflow type urinary incontinence: It occurs due to excessive stretching of the bladder. Urinary incontinence in the form of frequent or persistent leaks and drips is the main symptom.
5-Nocturnal enuresis: It is a type of incontinence that refers to the incontinence of urine after falling asleep at night.
Cause, diagnosis, treatment
Expert Physiotherapist Leyla Altıntaş, who gave information about the causes, diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence, said:
“When we look at the causes of urinary incontinence with the medical name of urinary incontinence; pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, urinary tract infections, intestinal problems, parkinson's disease, alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis (ms), stroke (paralysis), obesity, weakness of the pelvic floor muscles, genital organ problems in women. Detailed patient history is important when making the diagnosis in case of urinary incontinence. Frequency and duration of complaints are important in determining the type of urinary incontinence. The causes of urinary incontinence can be understood with a physical examination by the doctor. In order to make a full diagnosis, some advanced examinations such as USG and Urodynamic tests can be performed. Then, the treatment in urinary incontinence differs according to the cause of urinary incontinence. Necessary drug therapy is arranged by the urologist. If the cause of urinary incontinence is caused by the female genital organs (uterus prolapse, bladder prolapse, etc.), surgical treatment may be considered. Physical therapy and pelvic floor rehabilitation are highly beneficial in urinary incontinence due to weakness of the pelvic floor muscles. Especially with Kegel exercises, pelvic floor muscles and bladder lower part muscles that cause urine leakage from the bladder can be strengthened, this problem can be completely or greatly corrected. Since urinary incontinence is a treatable disease, it should be considered important and a physician should be consulted. he said.