Urinary incontinence is a condition where you may experience bladder control issues leading to leakage of urine. Our urinary system is made up of several organs: kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra. The bladder is like a storage tank where once it is full, the brain sends a signal that it is time to urinate. Urine then leaves the bladder where a muscle, known as a sphincter, opens.
Incontinence can happen to anyone, especially in older individuals; however, it is much more common in women than in men. The reasons can be related to pregnancy, childbirth or even menopause. Each of these can cause a women’s pelvic support muscles to weaken over time leading to leakage of urine and the inability for your bladder to function at maximum capacity.
Some causes of incontinence are temporary health conditions that go away once treated. Others can be caused by chronic medical conditions that must be managed over a longer period and may not entirely go away.
Temporary or short-term causes of incontinence can include:
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Pregnancy
- Medications
- Beverages
- Constipation
Chronic or long-term causes of incontinence can include:
- Pelvic floor disorders
- Stroke
- Diabetes
- Menopause
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Enlarge prostate
- After prostate cancer surgery
Don’t let this be an inconvenience to your life as there are treatments available that can help you manage this condition. If you or someone you know has urinary incontinence and it is having a negative impact to their life you can contact us for help in making a positive change to your life right now. Give us a call at (905) 771- 8882 or send us an email at info@cesphysiorehab.com for more information.
Reference: Incontinence: Leakage, causes, diagnosis, treatment & prevention. Cleveland Clinic.