Urinary Incontinence Lecture

What is Urinary Incontinence?

Involuntary leakage of urine.

Types of Urinary Incontinence

Stress Urinary Incontinence: Leakage due to increased abdominal pressure (laughing, coughing, sneezing, exercise)
- Causes: Weakened pelvic floor or urinary sphincter muscles.
- Risk Factors: Pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, pelvic surgeries (women); prostate surgery (men); chronic coughing/straining, obesity, smoking.
- Treatment:
  - Pelvic floor exercises (Kegel exercises): Strengthens pelvic floor muscles.
  - Weight loss: Reduces pressure on bladder/pelvic floor.
  - Vaginal creams (Estrogen): Post-menopause treatment to strengthen tissue.
  - Vaginal pessaries: Silicone/plastic devices providing urethra/bladder support.
  - Collagen injections: Thicken urethra for better control.
  - Surgery (sling insertion): Supports urethra/bladder.
Urge Urinary Incontinence: Sudden, strong need to urinate (overactive bladder)
- Causes: Overactive detrusor muscle due to nerve damage (diabetes, MS, spinal cord injury, stroke), bladder irritation (UTI, caffeine, certain meds), enlarged prostate (men).
- Treatment:
  - Bladder training: Set toileting schedule, urge suppression techniques (deep breaths, squeezing pelvic floor muscles).
  - Avoiding bladder irritants: Caffeine, alcohol.
  - Medications: Oxybutynin to relax bladder muscles.
  - Nerve stimulation: Mild electrical pulses to stimulate bladder nerves.
  - Botox injections: Reduce urgency, increase bladder capacity.
  - Surgery: Enlarge/remove bladder (with risks/complications).

Social Impact and Importance of Seeking Help

Symptoms can lead to depression, social isolation, skin breakdown, financial hardship (cost of incontinence pads).
Important to inform healthcare providers to receive proper treatment and improve quality of life.

Conclusion

Urinary incontinence is common and treatable.
Encourage open communication with healthcare providers for better management.

Next Steps

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