Introduction
Urinary incontinence is a medical complication in which a person passes urine involuntarily. This distressing situation can occur when one coughs or sneezes. Concurrently, the term is commonly abbreviated as UI. In addition, some UI patients might lose drops of blood during sexual activity. It is crucial to note that such occurrences might render them so distressed and worried (Mayo Clinic Staff 1). Others experience a sudden strong urge to pass urine. Unfortunately, they can hardly control it. In case they are not near a bathroom, they can pee on themselves. Concurrently, some patients of UI can pass drops of urine during physical activities such as running or jogging. It is a condition found in both males and females; however, it is most common among women. Urinary incontinence is a treatable condition. This paper will discuss the causes of this condition and the remedies prospected in both males and females.
Causes of UI in males
The cause of Urinary incontinence in men incorporate nervous breakdown. Physiologically, nervous system coordinates muscles and nerves of the body. A breakdown in this system can cause failure in urine control in the bladder. Nerve problems can be caused by diabetes, injury in the spinal cord, hyperactive bladder, and stroke. Any problem in the prostate gland forms another cause. The prostate gland is found just below the bladder in the urinary tract of men. An enlarged prostate gland known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostate cancer, and external radiations are some of the complications that may cause urinary incontinence. Before one is diagnosed with UI, a series of standardized questions are asked to determine whether one could be suffering from this condition. The rate at which men get the condition is lower than that of women (MedicineNet 1).
Causes of UI in Females
Women are most likely to have UI. This is due to the structure of their urinary tract, age, and pregnancy. One of the causes of UI is pregnancy (curing pregnancy). Physiologically, the pressure that the fetus exerts on the bladder, urethra, and the muscles down the pelvic may weaken bladder muscles leading to (UI) in women. Another cause is Childbirth. Weakening of the muscles of the pelvic floor caused by pain experienced during labor and the pressure exerted on the vagina may cause UI in women. However, this condition may be temporary and one has to undergo a series of tests after 6 months to ascertain if they have developed UI.
Another cause is menopause. During this phase, women reach a stage where they do not experience their monthly flows. This means that estrogen production is low. Consequently, this may weaken urethra thus resulting in UI. Another cause of IU is the damaged nervous system. Nervous breakdown can also make the nerves to send wrong messages to the brain causing urine to leak or come out involuntarily. The nervous system coordinates all the activities of the body and therefore a sudden change in the operation of the system can cause adverse changes in the human body hence leading to UI. Although there are some causes unique to each of the sexes, other causes are similar to both.
According to USDHHS (US Department of Health and Human Services), the common causes of UI include consuming alcohol and taking caffeinated drinks. This may cause the bladder to fill up within a short period of time thus causing urine leakage. Additionally, when one’s urinary tract has been infected, incontinence may be experienced for some time. The condition disappears when the infection is treated. People who suffer from chronic constipation may be a victim of this menace since pressure may be exerted on their bladder causing urine to leak. Use of some medication may also cause a person to develop UI. Obesity or excessive weight gain may cause pressure on the bladder and thus predisposing one to UI (women’shealth.org 2012).
Remedies
The condition (UI) is found in both men and women; however, there are different approaches on how each is treated and dealt with. Before one is treated, evaluation tests (diagnosis) are carried out to discern the type of UI that one is suffering from. This is the first remedial step towards the treatment of this condition.
Remedies in men
Since there are different causes of UI, medical experts may ask a series of questions helpful in the diagnosis. Questions such as how much fluid one takes in a day, lifestyle nature, one’s medical history, operational medications, and any surgical history are asked to guide the concerned expert. Once the cause has been identified, diagnosis is made. After posing relevant questions and executing appropriate tests, a credible diagnosis is given. Consequently, remedial approaches might include lifestyle changes. The concerned patient might be asked to reduce the amount of fluids taken, perform ‘kegel’ exercises to strengthen their bladder, or reduce the intake of caffeine and alcohol. Kegel exercises are done to tighten the muscles around the urinary tract and make them firm. All this is done depending on the type of UI. Another remedial approach is appropriate medical prescription. Medicine is given to suit the type of UI diagnosed. Some drugs help in controlling the functionality of nerves hence correcting signals sent to the brain. Others cause one to pass less urine, relax the bladder, or shrink the prostate. The type of medicine given is solely determined by the type of UI that one is suffering from. Another credible remedy is surgery. A damaged nervous system in the event of spinal cord injury or radical prostatectomy may cause one to be surgically treated in order to alleviate UI. The surgery is done to ensure that the nervous system functions normally while nerves are stimulated accordingly (MedicineNet 1).
Remedies in Women
There are different types of incontinence that occur in women. Medically, these mainly occur due to affected bladder, stress, and overflow instances reported by numerous UI patients (NKUDIC 1). Concurrently, overactive bladder, stress, urge, functional, and overflow instances also denote types of UI respectively. All these types of incontinence are treated differently. This is a critical provision in the context of viable medical remedies applicable to alleviate the condition. Some remedies executed on women are similar to those done on men. This occurs in the event that the causes are similar such as taking alcohol and caffeine. This is a conventional provision in the alleviation of UI. However, there are others which are specific such as; Biofeedback, which is done to help one to keep track of their body. It resembles the phenomenon of keeping a diary. One has to track his or her body functions with respect to UI (Womenhealth.gov 1). The second remedial provision is the stimulation of nerves, which is done to stimulate nerves in the spinal code thus enhance the functionality of the nervous system. Physiologically, nervous system controls the activities of the body and the bladder and its simulation influences system.
Another remedial approach is the insertion of a ‘pessary’. This is a device used to reposition urethra, which in turn supports the muscles and reduces leakage. Importantly, this helps in alleviating UI to a greater extent compared to other applicable methods. An anesthesia may be used during the insertion to make the patient comfortable since it may be painful. This is a critical provision in the medical practice as indicated earlier. Concurrently, injection is another credible method used in the alleviation of UI conditions. This is used mostly in cases of stress incontinence. A prescribed agent is injected in the tissues surrounding the urinary tract. This is done to thicken the muscles and close the opening of the bladder to reduce UI (Mayo Clinic Staff 1). Each treatment is different and unique and therefore prescriptions to one patient may not necessarily be of help to another patient.
Conclusion
In conclusion, urinary incontinence (UI) is a medical condition that occurs both in men and women. Based on their anatomy and physiological structures, women have the highest tendency of having this condition. This is a critical provision when considered critical with respect to UI and its predisposing factors. There are some causes of the condition that are common to both sexes such as use of caffeine and alcohol, too much intake of fluids, and obesity. The remedies are different for each type of UI. Therefore, one has to know the type of incontinence that they suffer from. Evidently, each type of UI requires distinctive remedial approaches depending on the health status of the concerned patient. It is crucial to understand this provision comprehensively as indicated earlier. Importantly, health workers educated on what causes the condition should be able to provide accurate remedies for any type of UI. Therefore, it is important to know one’s body well.
Works Cited
Mayo Clinic Staff. Urinary incontinence. 2012. Web.
MedicineNet. Urinary Incontinence in Men. 2012. Web.
NKUDIC (National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse). Urinary Incontinence in Women. 2010. Web.
Womenhealth.gov. Urinary incontinence fact. 2012. Web.