Urinary incontinence or accidental release of urine is not a disease, rather a medical condition that can be easily dealt with. There are certain products that can help you deal with the problem, and prevent the embarrassment when you are around people. Find the details about these products in the following HealthHearty article.
Urinary incontinence is a common condition in both adults and children. Incontinence (accidental release of urine) affects over 13 million Americans, which is almost 1 in every 12 people. In adults, incontinence is more common in women, while male children are more prone to incontinence.
Prostate is the root cause of incontinence in men. Unfortunately, prostate, a reproductive organ is located right behind the bladder and when infected, it can exert pressure on the bladder, which causes the accidental release of the urine. While pregnancy and childbirth can cause temporary incontinence in women, as the uterus lies just above the bladder, urinary tract infection is a more serious cause. In some cases, hysterectomy can cause the incontinence, as the pelvic muscles are weakened. Menopause induced stress is also known to be one of the causes of the incontinence in some women.
Toilet training is an important phase in a baby’s development, when their body starts recognizing and sending signals to the brain that the bladder is full. The phase when a child is ready to be trained differs from one child to another. Bedwetting or Enuresis is a common problem with all children, especially if the child is a deep sleeper. At their tender age, nightmares can also cause bedwetting. As the child grows, it stops on its own in most cases. However, if it does not stop, a pediatrician should be consulted, who will be able to assess the health of the child more closely, and rule out any medical conditions.
Products for Urinary Incontinence
- External Catheter: It is a thin tube that is used to drain the bladder manually. It connects to an external pouch to hold the urine. It is ideal for men, who are recovering from the prostate surgery.
- Urethral Inserts: These are tampon like devices that a woman can place in her urethra to prevent any leakage of urine.
- Absorbent Pads: They are ideal for women, who suffer from accidental release of urine.
- Adult Diapers: They can be used by both, men and women, and are usually used when you are confined to one place for extended period without a washroom nearby. For instance, it can be used when you are traveling.
- Pessaries: These are available for women only. They are made of latex or silicone material, and are placed inside the vagina to provide support to the bladder. Please remember that the device should be placed inside the vagina only by a medical practitioner. Do not try to insert it on your own.
- Self-adhesive foam pads: They can be used by women only. The pad is placed against the labia to prevent urine leakage. When you need to urinate, you can dispose the pad, and place a new one after you are done.
- Electrical Stimulation Devices: These devices are used to strengthen the pelvic and bladder muscles by passing small electrical signals through them. Ideally, you should get it done at a doctor’s clinic, however, if you have a permanent incontinence problem and are aware of the entire procedure, portable battery operated units are also available, which you can use on your own.
- Collagen Implants: They are injected into the tissues around the urethra. As they add bulk around the urethra, the urethra is narrowed down a little. This is usually helpful in the case of stress induced incontinence.
- Bedwetting Alarms: These are available for children and can wake up the child, if he or she starts urinating in bed.
- Bed Pads: These pads are ideal for children. They are thin and highly absorbent materials that can be placed under the child to deal with bedwetting.
Apart from all the above products, you should also consult a doctor, who will suggest pelvic exercises to help strengthen the muscles and give you more bladder control. Also, ensure that you empty the bladder after every 2 hours, which will reduce the possibility of accidental urine release.
Several people across the world, suffer from urinary bladder incontinence, and there is nothing to be embarrassed about this problem. It is a medical condition that needs to be addressed at the right time. Seek help immediately and lead a stress-free life.
