Overview

Urinary incontinence — the loss of bladder control — may be a common and sometimes embarrassing problem. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine once you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that's so sudden and powerful you do not get to a rest room in time.

Though it occurs more often as people grow old, enuresis isn't an inevitable consequence of aging. If enuresis affects your daily activities, don't hesitate to ascertain your doctor. For most people, simple lifestyle changes or medical treatment can ease discomfort or stop enuresis.

Symptoms

Many people experience occasional, minor leaks of urine. Others may lose small to moderate amounts of urine more frequently.

Types of urinary incontinence include:

Ø     Stress incontinence. Urine leaks once you exert pressure on your bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting something heavy.

Ø     Urge incontinence. You have a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. You may got to urinate often, including throughout the night. Urge incontinence could also be caused by a minor condition, like infection, or a more-severe condition like a neurologic disorder or diabetes.

Ø     Overflow incontinence. You experience frequent or constant dribbling of urine thanks to a bladder that does not empty completely.

Ø     Functional incontinence. A physical or mental impairment keeps you from making it to the rest room in time. For example, if you've got severe arthritis, you'll not be ready to unbutton your pants quickly enough.

Ø     Mixed incontinence. You experience quite one sort of enuresis.

Causes

Urinary incontinence isn't a disease, it's a symptom. It are often caused by everyday habits, underlying medical conditions or physical problems. A thorough evaluation by your doctor can help determine what's behind your incontinence.

Temporary urinary incontinence

Certain drinks, foods and medications may act as diuretics — stimulating your bladder and increasing your volume of urine. They include:

Ø  Alcohol

Ø  Caffeine

Ø  Carbonated drinks and sparkling water

Ø  Artificial sweeteners

Ø  Chocolate

Ø  Chili peppers

Ø  Foods that are high in spice, sugar or acid, especially citrus fruits

Ø  Heart and blood pressure medications, sedatives, and muscle relaxants

Ø  Large doses of vitamin C

Risk factors

Factors that increase your risk of developing enuresis include:

Ø     Gender. Women are more likely to have stress incontinence. Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause and normal female anatomy account for this difference. However, men with prostate problems are at increased risk of urge and enuresis.

Ø     Age. As you get older, the muscles in your bladder and urethra lose some of their strength. Changes with age reduce what proportion your bladder can hold and increase the probabilities of involuntary urine release.

Ø     Being overweight. Extra weight increases pressure on your bladder and surrounding muscles, which weakens them and allows urine to leak once you cough or sneeze.

Ø     Smoking. Tobacco use may increase your risk of enuresis.

Ø     Family history. If an in depth loved one has enuresis, especially enuresis , your risk of developing the condition is higher.

Ø     Other diseases. Neurological disease or diabetes may increase your risk of incontinence.

Prevention

Urinary incontinence isn't always preventable. However, to help decrease your risk:

Ø  Maintain a healthy weight

Ø  Practice pelvic floor exercises

Ø  Avoid bladder irritants, such as caffeine, alcohol and acidic foods

Ø  Eat more fiber, which can prevent constipation, a cause of urinary incontinence

Ø  Don't smoke, or seek help to quit smoking

Notice: Please consult your doctor before following any instruction of www.myonlinedoctor.co.in