Urinary Incontinence

Advanced Care at NU Hospitals

Home / Specialities / Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence contributes to negative life quality by bringing on discomfort and embarrassment. At NU Hospitals, we provide our patients with expert diagnosis and treatment of urinary incontinence, which consists of non-invasive therapies and minimally invasive surgeries, to help the patient regain bladder control.

What is Urinary Incontinence?

Urinary incontinence refers to the loss of bladder control that results in involuntary urine leakage. It is not a disease but a symptom of underlying issues, such as weakened pelvic muscles, nerve damage, or certain medical conditions.

While it is more common among older adults, urinary incontinence is not an inevitable part of aging. It can be effectively managed with lifestyle changes, medical treatments, or minimally invasive procedures.

Common Causes of Urinary Incontinence

The development of urinary incontinence may be caused by a number of factors such as:

Weakened pelvic floor muscles: This is often seen after pregnancy, childbirth or aging.
Nerve damage: Diabetes and neurological disorders can be conditions that interfere with bladder control.
Prostate issues in men: Benign prostate enlargement or prostate surgery may over time lead to incontinence.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs): Temporary incontinence that is caused by irritation.
Certain medications: Diuretics or sedatives drugs that might impair bladder function.
Lifestyle factors: Obesity, smoking, and excessive caffeine or alcohol intake can increase the risk.

Types of Urinary Incontinence

Identifying the type of incontinence is first and foremost to the treatment of it. The main types include:

1. Stress Incontinence:

Occurs because of physical actions like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy things.
Mainly women, after childbirth and menopause, due to the weakening of the pelvic muscles.

2. Urge Incontinence:

A sudden, strong feeling of the need to Urinate, and then involuntary urination..
Usually, this is associated with overactive bladder syndrome or neurological conditions.

3. Overflow Incontinence:

The problem arises when the bladder is not fully emptied, which in turn leads to persistent leakage.
It is a common situation in men suffering from prostate problems or nerve injuries.

4. Functional Incontinence:

Impairs physical or cognitive limits like arthritis or dementia, which makes a person not be able to reach the restroom in time.

5. Mixed Incontinence:

Indeed, women who suffer from this type of incontinence are likely to have both the stress and the urge incontinence types.

Why Choose NU Hospitals for Urinary Incontinence Treatment?

NU Hospitals is one of the most reputed hospitals for advanced urological treatments, providing state-of-the-art specialized care for urinary incontinence. What makes NU Hospitals the preferred choice of patients:

Expert Team of Urologists: Specialist in diagnosing and treating all kinds of incontinence.
Comprehensive Diagnostic Services: Using the most advanced technology to achieve accurate diagnosis.
Customized Treatment Plans: The treatment schedule is specifically customized to each patient's unique requirements and lifestyle.
Minimally Invasive Solutions: Advanced procedures such as Botox therapy, sling surgery, and nerve stimulation for faster recovery.
Patient-Centric Care: Individualized compassionate care that is targeted toward the quality of life.

Preventive Measures for Urinary Incontinence

Preventing all forms of urinary incontinence may not be possible, however some lifestyle changes can help in reducing the risk:

Maintain a healthy weight: Eases the pressure on the bladder.
Stay active: Pelvic muscles grow stronger with regular exercise.
Avoid smoking: Cuts down bladder stimulation and urine leakage caused by cough.
Stay hydrated: Drinking an adequate amount of water is important but avoid overhydration
Practice good bladder habits: Go to the bathroom frequently to pass urine and try not to hold it in.

Diagnosing Urinary Incontinence

Appropriate diagnosis is of principal importance to successful management. Most widely used diagnostic methods are:

Medical history and physical exam: In addition to symptoms, identifying the underlying conditions in health.
Urinalysis: Identifying infections or other types of abnormalities.
Bladder diary: Keeping track of the amount of fluid intake, the frequency of urination and the leaking episodes.
Urodynamic testing: Assessing bladder function and pressure.
Ultrasound: Measuring bladder operation and pressure.

Treatment Options for Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence can be handled by means of lifestyle changes and the use of modern surgical techniques. These are the most common treatments for urinary incontinence:

1. Lifestyle Changes

Maintaining an ideal weight helps you in preventing extra stress on the bladder.
Stay away from the bladder-irritating like caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods.
Try to drink a moderate amount of water to stay hydrated but avoid taking it too much.
Try time voiding or bladder training and see if it works.

2. Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegel Exercises)

Gain greater control over the bladder by strengthening the pelvic muscles.
It helps to cope with stress incontinence and restore health after pregnancy.

3. Medications

Anticholinergics: Minimize bladder overactivity.
Alpha-blockers: Relax muscles in the bladder of men who are suffering from prostate problems.
Topical estrogen: Increases muscle strength in postmenopausal women.

4. Medical Devices

Pessaries: The bladder should be supported in women with pelvic organ prolapse.
Catheters: Treats overflow incontinence.

5. Minimally Invasive Procedures

Botox injections: Regulates urinary system function by means of electrical impulses.
Nerve stimulation therapy: Regulates bladder control through electrical impulses.

6. Surgery

Sling procedures: Ensure the urethra is properly supported, a common practice in the case of stress incontinence.
Bladder neck suspension: Facilitates the stabilization of the bladder neck.
Artificial urinary sphincter: A device implanted in the body to manage urine flow in severe cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can urinary incontinence be cured?

Yes, many cases of incontinence can be successfully treated or controlled with the right interventions.

Are treatments for incontinence painful?

Most treatments, such as exercises, medications, and minimally invasive procedures, are practically painless or only slightly uncomfortable.

How long does it take to see results?

The time of results differs with the type of treatment, but for most patients improvements occur in the first few weeks.

Is urinary incontinence common after pregnancy?

Yes, due to weakened pelvic muscles that sometimes occur after pregnancy yet it can be solved by practicing pelvic floor exercises or medical intervention.

When should I see a doctor?

If you experience ongoing urination, strong urges to pee repeatedly, or it is hard to empty your bladder, seek medical attention from a urologist.

Your donation today can shape the future of healthcare, bringing hope and healing to countless lives

Donate Now

Be Our Subscriber

To get the latest news about health from our experts

Public Notice: NU Hospitals would like to inform the general public that NU Hospitals practices all organ transplants in accordance with The Transplantation of Human Organs Act 1994. NU Hospitals does not buy or sell any organ and seriously condemn this act. Every hospital including NU takes details of name, address, phone number while registering the patient.