Urinary Incontinence (Ui) Tips

Bladder prolapse is a condition wherein a woman’s vaginal wall ceases to adequately support the urinary bladder. The front wall of the vagina gives support to the bladder under normal circumstances but when this wall weakens, it allows the bladder to droop and become prolapsed. This can lead to a wide range of medical problems such as urinary difficulties, stress incontinence (leakage of urine while coughing or sneezing), pain and discomfort, etc.

Prolapsed bladders are generally associated with menopause. Also known as cystoceles or fallen bladders, they are categorized into four different types depending on the extent to which the bladder has prolapsed.
Grade 1: This is the mild stage wherein a small portion of the bladder droops into the vagina.
Grade 2: This is the moderate stage in which the bladder droops far enough to reach the opening of the vagina.
Grade 3: This is when the condition becomes severe and the bladder protrudes from the body through the opening of the vagina.
Grade 4: This occurs when the bladder has completely prolapsed. The entire bladder protrudes outside the vagina and is normally associated with other forms of pelvic organ prolapse such as uterine prolapse (the sagging of the uterus from its normal spot) and rectocele (prolapse of the wall between the vagina and the rectum).

What are the causes of prolapsed bladders?

Following are the factors that lead to the condition of prolapsed bladders:

 

1. Menopause: The vaginal walls are known to become weak upon the onset of menopause. This occurs because the body inhibits the production of oestrogen, the hormone that renders strength to the muscles of the vagina. As a result, the bladder is no longer supported by the vagina.
2. Childbirth: The process of childbirth puts a tremendous amount of stress on the vagina and often leads to deterioration of the muscles of the vaginal wall. This in turn leads to the condition of prolapsed bladder.
3. Straining: Anything that puts strain on the walls of the vagina can lead to this condition. This includes lifting heavy objects, chronic constipation, obesity, excessive coughing and sneezing or any other factor that damages the pelvic floor.

What are the symptoms of a prolapsed bladder?
Symptoms of a prolapsed bladder vary from case to case, depending on the category and extent of the condition. Some of the most commonly experienced symptoms of the condition are as follows:
Tissue sticking out of the vagina (that may be tender and/or bleeding)

1. Frequent urge to urinate
2. Urinary incontinence (unwanted leakage of urine)
3. Pain during urination
4. Pain during sex
5. Frequent urinary tract and bladder infections
6. Pain in the vagina, pelvis, lower abdomen or lower back
7. Incomplete urination

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

According to the reports published by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 73% of older people belonging to the age group 60-69 years are affected by a number of health disorders. As you age, your body and immune system undergoes several changes due to various reasons - hormonal imbalance, change in eating habits, lifestyle changes, and underlying medical conditions. Among several old-age health conditions, the commonly observed ones are -

1. Prostate gland problems- the prostate gland is the reproductive organ in male body. This small walnut-sized organ is present at the base of the bladder. Through the urethra, urine flows from the bladder. When the prostate gland becomes enlarged, it obstructs urinal flow through the urethra. As the urethra constricts, the bladder starts to contract forcefully so you get an urge to urinate frequently. Symptoms of an enlarged prostate may include- slow or weak urinary stream, frequent urination, urgency to urinate especially at night.
2. Joint problem- musculoskeletal or degenerative disorders can lead to wear-and-tear of bone cartilages. Such a condition over time can cause joint inflammation or other orthopedic disorders like arthritis, gout, osteoporosis etc.
3. Urinary incontinence- refers to uncontrollable leakage of urine. This condition is more common in women than in men. Overactive or weak bladder muscles, nerve damage, pregnancy, menopause are some of the factors responsible for urinary incontinence in females.
4. Sciatica- this condition occurs when the sciatic nerves are strained by bone spurs on the vertebrae or a herniated disk in the spine. It is characterized by a constant sharp pain in the lower back along the sciatic nerve. You may feel the pain one side of your leg or hip.

Role of homeopathy in treating old-age problems-
Homeopathy is considered the most frequently used alternative form of medicine for treating old-age problems/disorders, and rightly so. This branch of medicine uses natural substances to stimulate palliative reactions in individuals suffering from orthopedic or nephrology disorders. Homeopathic treatment depends on the symptoms and severity of the condition. Owing to its safety and efficacy, homeopathic drugs like Arnica, Nux vomica etc are a preferred choice of treatment.

Homeopathy drugs are non-addictive and gentle without any adverse effects. They not only help reduce symptoms of old-age problems, but also help you regain overall health. Once you recover from the disease, you will continue to experience long-lasting positive effect on your health.

These natural remedies rejuvenate your body naturally. Self-medication can be harmful. Take homeopathic medication under guidance of good qualified homeopathic physician only as they are aware of pathological and physiological changes of your body and adjust doses and treatment accordingly.

The urinary system in both men and women are susceptible to infections and many other internal disorders. Although many of the disorders may be caused due to underlying diseases or hereditary causes, many others may be caused due to bad life style habits as well as personal hygiene issues. Personal hygiene issues will not only lead to infections, but if left unchanged, may cause more serious problems such as tumors overtime. However, with the help of some basic tips and following some daily routine, you can ensure good urological health overtime. Some of these are mentioned below:

1. Drink plenty of water daily: This is applicable to both men and women and it is important, especially in a country like India where hot and humid conditions prevail for most of the time. A common figure quoted most of the time is 2 to 3 liters of water daily although this is quite arbitrary and may change from person to person and climate to climate. What is important is that you should remain hydrated and calculate an ideal amount of water consumption. This is necessary to stop stone formation in the gallbladder, kidney, ureter and other areas of the genitourinary system.
2. Cleaning tips for men: It is important to ensure proper hygiene for good penile health. Uncircumcised males should retract their foreskin while taking a bath and clean out the smegma or white accumulations from around the glans. This will reduce the chances of inflammations and urinary tract infections from occurring. Circumcised males should thoroughly wash the penis as well to keep it clean.
3. Regular ejaculation: Men are advised to ejaculate regularly either through masturbation or through sexual stimulation as it is beneficial in many ways. Ejaculation helps clear the tracts, exercises the prostate and also keeps the pattern of proper blood flow to the penis active. It maintains urological health as well as you sexual health.
4. Don’t hold your urine for too long: Although this is especially applicable for women, it can be bad for men too. Holding the urine within your body for too long may result in an infection and may also make your bladder muscles weaker resulting in urinary incontinence later in life. Women, especially should be careful as they have a shorter urethra leading from the bladder and thus are more prone to getting urinary tract infections in this manner.
5. Avoid harsh soaps and use milder ones to regularly cleanse the groin area: The groin is one of the moistest areas, as it remains covered up most of the time. This makes it an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. It is important that you clean this area every day thoroughly with mild soap. Also, after urination, women should wipe front to back i.e. from the opening of the vagina towards the anus while wiping down after urinating or cleaning. This is to ensure that fecal bacteria don’t get into the vagina as it can cause a host of infections.
6. Tips for sexual intercourse: It is important for both men and women to urinate, wash and clean after sexual intercourse as this can help clean the bacteria that may have come from one partner’s genitals into the other. Women should especially follow this advice as it can help keep many infections at bay.
7. Changes in certain foods: Reduce caffeine intake through tea or coffee as it can irritate your bladder. It can also act as a diuretic which makes you urinate frequently. This will result in your bladder becoming weaker. Also reduce salt intake as it can increase blood pressure and end up damaging the kidney to the point of permanent kidney damage or kidney failure.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Menopause is a phase that every woman goes through. As a woman ages, her hormones fluctuate, and she experiences certain symptoms that she wouldn’t have experienced when younger. One cannot ignore the health issues that are caused as a result of menopause. These menopausal changes can affect urological health too. Let us look at this effect in detail.

Menopause in simple terms can be summed up as the end of a woman’s reproductive cycle. The symptoms can begin before you stop menstruating or in some cases even after. This phase usually begins after the age of 40 and in some rare cases can occur even earlier such as health conditions that might have affected the ovaries. Natural menopause does not happen overnight, and it is a gradual transition, which usually lasts for several years. The symptoms kick in when the ovaries start to produce less estrogen, and the process continues till the last eggs are produced.

Symptoms of menopause:
Some of the common symptoms of menopause are hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood swings, irritability, and painful intercourse. Also, there could be some urological symptoms, these should be noted as they could be an indicator of other health risks or disorders.

Urological Health during Menopause:
Urological health would most often be ignored when passing through such a crucial phase as menopause. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor regarding any urological changes and symptoms that is experienced during this phase.

• One of the most common complaints during menopause is urinary tract infections. The frequency of these infections increases during or after menopause. These infections occur due to the reduced levels of estrogen. Though the condition fades gradually, drinking plenty of fluids and eating food high in fiber will be helpful. If necessary ask your doctor to prescribe a topical estrogen cream.
• Another common complaint is incontinence. This is also caused by the reduced levels of estrogen in the body. It can lead to urinary infections and uncontrollable bladder discharge. There are also several other factors that can result in incontinence such as lifestyle and the type of food consumed. Regularizing your diet and having a regular exercise pattern could be beneficial. Discuss any changes that you can and should make with your doctor.
• The risk of kidney infections and diseases also increases with menopause. The chance of developing kidney stones is also greater.
• In addition to the symptoms of infection any pain while passing urine or blood in the urine should be brought to the attention of your doctor immediately. This will ensure that you receive the medication and care you require quickly. Drinking plenty of fluids, eating nutritious food and leading a healthy lifestyle will be beneficial.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Urological problems such as urinary tract infection, urinary incontinence, and kidney stones are highly prevalent across gender and age groups. But there are several simple measures you may undertake to improve urological health and prevent such problems.

Read on to know how to go about it.

1. Drinking adequate amount of fluids: Waste products are mostly eliminated through urine, and when you drink more water, you will be able to remove more toxins from the body. The general recommendation is having 8 glasses of water in a day even though this varies on an individual basis. You must also consider drinking cranberry juice which offers protection from various types of infections of the urinary tract. And you should drink an extra amount of water while exercising and when you are spending a lot of time outside as you might excrete more water through perspiration.
2. Cutting down the intake of caffeine and alcohol: Both alcohol and caffeine act as a diuretic and they irritate the lining of the urinary bladder. This causes frequent urge to urinate.
3. Avoid holding urine: You should never practice holding the urine for a long span of time but try going to the toilet whenever you feel the urge.
4. Controlling the daily intake of salt: When you consume too much of salt, the sodium in the body increases and it causes retention of fluids in the body. This is invariably linked with high blood pressure which can cause damage to the kidneys and formation of kidney stones. Thus, it is essential to reduce the intake of canned foods, fried stuff, and processed foods.
5. Keeping the genital area clean: You should always aim to keep the genital area clean by washing it with plain water or some mild cleanser once in a day. Also, while indulging in sexual intercourse, bacteria along with other micro-organisms can enter into the urinary tract causing infection. Women are at a higher risk of developing urinary tract infections since they have a shorter urethra. Male groins and female vaginas are considered breeding grounds for different pathogens which can transfer from one partner to another during intercourse hence care should be taken.
6. Preventing urological problems in women: Once you use the washroom, you should wipe the genital area from the front part to back. You should not use perfumed soaps and cleansers in the vaginal areas. Wearing cotton panties is always a healthier option than other fabrics. One should also avoid using vaginal deodorants and spermicidal creams to prevent infections.

Though numerous treatment options are available for these disorders since prevention is always better than cure, adopt these practices to steer clear of these common problems. Further, incorporating lifestyle changes such as eating a balanced diet coupled with exercise and leading a stress-free routine can pave the way for general good health.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

All you need to know about infections of the uterus, vagina and cervix

The uterus, vagina and cervix are major components of the female reproductive system. Their functioning impacts the overall growth and health of the female body as well as sexuality.

There are a number of infections and diseases that affect the female reproductive organs. Most cases require clinical care and treatment in consultation with a gynaecologist.

Following are the symptoms of infection in the uterus, cervix or vagina:

•  pain or numbness in the pelvic region
•  unusual discharge from the vagina
•  bleeding during or after intercourse
•  pain or burning sensation during urination
•  skipped periods
•  excessively painful menstrual cramps
•  nausea and vomiting
•  urinary incontinence

There are three main types of infections that affect the organs of the female reproductive system. They are as follows:

1. Vaginitis
This is an infection that affects the vagina. It occurs when the walls of the vagina get inflamed and irritated. It is caused by bacteria, viruses, yeast, chemicals and even clothing. It often occurs due to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The different types of infections that occur as vaginitis are yeast infection, viral vaginitis, bacterial vaginitis, trichomoniasis vaginitis, etc.

2. Cervicitis
This infection affects the cervix. Cervicitis can either be acute or chronic in nature, depending upon what causes the cervix to get inflamed. It occurs most commonly due to sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhoea, chlamydia and herpes. This condition is often confused with vaginitis as the two have similar causes and symptoms.

3. Pelvic inflammatory disease
Pelvic inflammatory disease (pid) is a serious infection that affects the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes. It is caused by sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhoea and can lead to severe complications. It often causes scar tissue to grow between the internal organs and may even lead to ectopic pregnancy. If not properly diagnosed, it can cause infertility and other chronic problems.

Treating the various infections that affect the female reproductive system depends on a number of factors such as nature of the problem, age and medical history of the patient, and the root causes. Early detection and diagnosis ensure effective treatment which makes it important to see a gynaecologist at the onset of symptoms.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Urinary incontinence is the unintentional passing of urine. It's a common problem thought to affect millions of people. There are several types of urinary incontinence, including:

1. Stress Incontinence– when urine leaks out at times when your bladder is under pressure; for example, when you cough or laugh.
2. Urge Incontinence– when urine leaks as you feel a sudden, intense urge to pass urine, or soon afterwards.
3. Overflow Incontinence (chronic urinary retention)– when you're unable to fully empty your bladder, which causes frequent leaking.
4. Total Incontinence– when your bladder can't store any urine at all, which causes you to pass urine constantly or have frequent leaking.

It's also possible to have a mixture of both stress and urge urinary incontinence.

What causes urinary incontinence in men?

Urinary incontinence in men results when the brain does not properly signal the bladder, the sphincters do not squeeze strongly enough, or both. The bladder muscle may contract too much or not enough because of a problem with the muscle itself or the nerves controlling the bladder muscle. Damage to the sphincter muscles themselves or the nerves controlling these muscles can result in poor sphincter function. These problems can range from simple to complex.

A man may have factors that increase his chances of developing UI, including

1. birth defects—problems with development of the urinary tract
2. a history of prostate cancer—surgery or radiation treatment for prostate cancer can lead to temporary or permanent UI in men

UI is not a disease. Instead, it can be a symptom of certain conditions or the result of particular events during a man’s life. Conditions or events that may increase a man’s chance of developing UI include

1. benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)—a condition in which the prostate is enlarged yet not cancerous. In men with BPH, the enlarged prostate presses against and pinches the urethra. The bladder wall becomes thicker. Eventually, the bladder may weaken and lose the ability to empty, leaving some urine in the bladder. The narrowing of the urethra and incomplete emptying of the bladder can lead to UI.
2. chronic coughing—long-lasting coughing increases pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles.
3. neurological problems—men with diseases or conditions that affect the brain and spine may have trouble controlling urination.
4. physical inactivity—decreased activity can increase a man’s weight and contribute to muscle weakness.
5. obesity—extra weight can put pressure on the bladder, causing a need to urinate before the bladder is full.
6. older age—bladder muscles can weaken over time, leading to a decrease in the bladder’s capacity to store urine.

Treating Urinary Incontinence

Initially, your GP may suggest some simple measures to see if they help improve your symptoms. These may include:

1. lifestyle changes – such as losing weight and cutting down on caffeine and alcohol
2. pelvic floor exercises – exercising your pelvic floor muscles by squeezing them, taught by a specialist 
3. bladder training – where you learn ways to wait longer between needing to urinate and passing urine, guided by a specialist
4. You may also benefit from the use of incontinence products, such as absorbent pads and handheld urinals.
5. Medication may be recommended if you're still unable to manage your symptoms.
6. Surgery may also be considered. The specific procedures suitable for you will depend on the type of incontinence you have.
7. Surgical treatments for stress incontinence, such as tape or sling procedures, are used to reduce pressure on the bladder or strengthen the muscles that control urination.
8. Operations to treat urge incontinence include enlarging the bladder or implanting a device that stimulates the nerve that controls the detrusor muscles.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!