Dr. Seema Gadiwan

Involuntary and sudden urine loss in women is termed as urinary incontinence. Some of the contributory factors to urinary incontinence are menopause, pregnancy and childbirth.

Types:
There are seven types of urinary incontinence.

1. Stress incontinence: If normal physical movements like sneezing, coughing and exercising cause small amounts of urine to leak out, it is called 'stress incontinence'.
2. Urge incontinence: If large amounts of urine leak out during unexpected and at odd times, like during sleeping, it is called 'urge incontinence'.
3. Overactive Bladder: This is characterized by frequent and urgent urination, along with urge incontinence or not.
4. Functional incontinence: If external deterrents or physical disabilities like not being able to find a toilet, leads to sudden leakage of urine, it is called 'functional incontinence'.
5. Overflow incontinence: A full bladder, at times, leads to unexpected leakage. This is called 'overflow incontinence'.
6. Mixed incontinence: Whenever urge and stress incontinence occur together, it is categorized as 'mixed incontinence'.
7. Transient incontinence: When urine leakage occurs due to temporary situations like infections or new medications, it is called 'transient incontinence'.

Causes:

Urinary incontinence is not a disease; it is a symptom. Infections, diabetes, or other medical conditions can cause incontinence. If incontinence is temporary, the causes might be any or all of the following:

1. Urinary tract infection
2. Over consumption of alcohol
3. Constipation
4. Too much caffeine intake
5. Consuming carbonated drinks
6. Decaffeinated coffee and tea
7. Use of artificial sweeteners
8. Foods which are too spicy, acidic or sugary
9. Corn syrup
10. Being on sedatives, muscle relaxants, blood pressure and heart medications
11. High doses of vitamin B and vitamin C

However, if incontinence is persistent, the symptoms might be different:

1. Pregnancy: During pregnancy, hormonal changes and weight gain in the body can cause incontinence.
2. Childbirth: Normal vaginal delivery weakens muscles that control the bladder, thus leading to incontinence.
3. Age: The bladder muscles weaken with age which, in turn, affects the bladder urine holding capacity.
4. Menopause: The levels of "oestrogen" hormone drop with the onset of menopause. Oestrogen keeps the lining of the urethra and bladder healthy. The gradual damage of the bladder tissues leads to incontinence.
5. Hysterectomy: The bladder and uterus are supported by the same ligaments and muscles. Surgery deteriorates the pelvic floor muscles, thus removing the uterus can lead to incontinence.
6. Obstruction: Tumours in the urinary tract can block the normal urine flow. This causes overflow incontinence.
7. Neurological disorders: Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, brain tumours, strokes or spinal injury can cause incontinence.

If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a specilized gynaecologist and ask a free question.

The medicines that we see today, including the heavy antibiotics and the normal syrups, never existed century ago. However, people since inception have been taking a different form of medications for illness and other health problems. The power of herbal medicines cannot be overlooked at point time – prior to all the modern medicines, these herbal medicines even cured deadly diseases.

Once again, pharmacy is going into the herbal era to explore and bring out the human health benefits. This is because of the ease of use and yes, the affordability and the power to heal almost every human health disorder.

Unfortunately, we lack medicinal plant information and that is why never think of having some quick doctors (medicinal plants) at home. Indeed, everyone seems to be pleased and delighted with the importance of medicinal plants; are you intrigued to have a small healing garden of your own? I mean its fun and benefit for generations. People have always been inquiring about:

• Are herbal remedies safe?
• Which are the best healing plants?
• Is growing medicinal plants a great and beneficial hobby?
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This excerpt deals with the most common medicinal plants and their uses – moreover, you would get to know about the list of medicinal plants which can easily been grown at home. For your knowledge and better understand, you can easily relate the information with medicinal plant pictures over the internet and grasp the idea in a better way.

In case of emergencies your little medicinal herbal garden would always stand besides you – for example, my mother was lucky enough to have aloe vera at home garden because I got burnt by the heater and during the cold nights there was no one to take me to doctor. Well, now you must check out the simplest yet effective medicinal plants that must be there in the garden:

1)    Aloe Vera:

It can be gown under normal conditions because it just needs moist soil and sun exposure. The big leaves contain sap, which works amazingly against:

• Burns
• Wounds and cuts
• Eczema
• Skin allergies

The intake of aloe vera juice can heal:

•  digestive problems and appetite
• Chronic constipation
• ulcerative colitis

2)    Marsh Mallow:

You must have an idea; it is the same plant from which edible marshmallows are obtained. The roots of this plant are extremely beneficial as they treat:

• Insect bites
• bruises and wounds
• Aching muscles
• Skin inflammations

Internally you can treat:

• Ulcer
• Stomach acids
• Urine problems

3)    Pot Marigold:

The best thing about this plant is it can be grown under normal climatic conditions. It is commonly known for its great benefits for the skin – however, it is amazingly for external uses like:

• Insect bites
• Sore eyes
• Wounds and stings

It also works best for:

• Fevers
• Infections (chronic)
• Varicose veins

4)    Chinese yam:

This type of yam can be eaten to cure tonic effects in spleen and stomach. In addition, it helps in treating lungs and kidneys. You can also treat:

• Tiredness
• Diarrhea
• Dry coughs
• Poor digestion
• Helps in weight loss
• Problematic urination
• Diabetes
• Snake and Scorpio bites

5)    Tea tree:

You must have heard about tea green a lot, especially for treatment against loss of hair and headaches. It contains amazing benefits like antibacterial, anti fungal and works best as antiseptic. In addition, it treats:

• Burns
• Fever
• Athlete foot
• fatigue syndrome
• Vaginal infections
• Acne and warts
• Insect bites

6)    Lemon balm:

The leaves of this plant have mint like smell and provides nourishing image. It has big summer flowers, which can be rubbed against the skin for:

• Animal bites
• Mosquito bites
• Sores
• Herpes

The nectar that is used with water in form of juice is beneficial for:

• Fevers
• Colds and cough
• Depression
• Headaches
• Upset stomach
• Insomnia

7)    Thyme:

It is mostly known for its strong antiseptic nature. It is wonderful when it comes to the treatment of:

• Congestion
• Stomach gas
• Coughs

8)    Basil:

You must have used basil lot many times in food but have you ever tried it to heal flatulence? It has the power to treat:

• Cuts
• Lack of appetite
• Stomach gas
• scrapes

9)    Sage:

You must have had used sage in your food – interestingly, it has the capacity to treat:

• Skin infection
• Gum infection (mouth infections)
• Helps in digestion
• Helps in unblocking menopause

10)   Fenugreek seeds:

These are very nourishing and carry great nutritional value – they can treat:

• Labor pain
• Inflammations
• Digestion issues
• Drain ducts
• Diabetes (initial)
• Blood cholesterol levels (low)
• Refresh breathe

11)   Comfrey:

It contains allantoin, which helps in a replacement of body cells naturally. In addition, it can treat:

• bronchial issues
• broken bones (weak bones)
• arthritis
• severe burns
• cuts and acne
• sprains
• ulcer

12)  Turkey Rhubarb

It works well for the digestion problems and maintains balance in the digestive system. This herb is very gentle and treats:

• Constipation

• Menstrual problem

• Bladder problem

• Diarrhea

• Hemorrhoids

13)    Ginseng:

This herb is known for its natural ability to promote health and prolong the life. The roots can used to treat:

• Nervous disorders (relaxation of nervous system
• Increase the metabolism rate
• Improved blood pressure levels
• Improve diet
• Improve immunity
• increased hormone secretion

14)   Peppermint:

Peppermint is known as the world most powerful and oldest herb that can treat human health effectively. It is enriched with Vitamins like A and C – contains manganese and iron. The leaves can be used to treat:

• Upset stomach
• Treat fever
  • Flatulence

15)   Milk Thistle:

It improves the liver function effectively – also it treats:

• jaundice
• poisoning
• bladder issues
• High cholesterol levels

Take almonds and natural (white) butter in your diet
Avoid drinking alcohol - especially vodka