Urine Leakage 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

Every woman is given nature's gift of being feminine. However, the many roles of a woman take a toll on her health and body.
Pregnancy, childbirth, hormonal changes all create challenges for her to maintain her youthfulness. 
So whether it is a recurrent urinary and vaginal infection, vaginal looseness, unable to enjoy your sexual life or loss of control over urine and urine leakage, don't be shy or embarrassed.
O shot/ PRP treatments along with laser techniques are now available which can cure these issues quickly and discreetly. 
 

Some benefits of this are:
1. Improved pelvic/gynecological health
2. Better immunity against vaginal and urinary tract infections
3. Vaginal tightening
4. Better control over urine
5. Improved aesthetics and looks of your private parts
6. Better experience during lovemaking

So girls, go ahead and talk to your gynecologist about these unspoken issues and reclaim your confidence.

Do you find it impossible to control the urge to urinate every now and then? If you feel the need to urinate more than 8 times a day, then it could be a health problem. Frequent urination is the medical term for this problem. The condition is not the same as urinary incontinence, where there is leakage of urine.

A number of habits can play a role in causing frequent urination. This includes drinking more fluids and consumption of caffeine-based beverages. However, the condition may also be a sign of an underlying kidney disorder.

Relation between frequent urination and kidney problems-

While frequent urination is itself not a serious problem, but it can be a symptom of kidney or ureter problems, urinary bladder problems, or diseases such as diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, or prostate gland problems.

Frequent urination is linked to a number of kidney problems such as:

a. Kidney infection (pyelonephritis)

Kidney infection (pyelonephritis) is a type of urinary tract infection (UTI) that normally starts in your urethra or bladder and travels to one or both of your kidneys. Frequent urination is often the most common symptom of pyelonephritis.

b. Kidney stones

Sometimes, hard collections of salt and minerals get accumulated in the form of stones in your kidney(s). These may increase in size in a ureter or the bladder. When the stone passes down the ureter, you may have an urge to urinate frequently.

c. Renal hypertension

If you suffer from renal hypertension (high blood pressure) or fluid buildup in the kidney, then your doctor may prescribe you medications that are used to treat and flush out excess fluid from the body. These medications can have a diuretic effect and may lead to frequent urination.

Feeling the urge to pass urine can be a symptom of many different problems. But if you experience the condition along with other abnormal symptoms such as fever or pain in abdomen, then you should consult your doctor immediately.  

Urology is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diseases affecting the urinary tract system and male reproductive organs. The organs that come under the scanner here are the kidneys, adrenal glands, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra, and the male reproductive organs (testes, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicles, prostate, and penis).

Though there is a prevalent misconception that gynecologists are for women what urologists are for men, urology also deals with certain women related health issues. These include overactive bladder, pelvic organ prolapse, and urinary incontinence. In fact, doctors who specialize in female urology gain detailed knowledge of the female pelvic floor together with intimate understanding of the physiology and pathology.

Here are 9 things you should know as a woman

1. Age related factors affect both men and women: Right around the time when menopause and andropause strike, changing hormone levels affect the pelvic floor, bladder, urethra and vagina in women causing problems like urinary tract infection and incontinence. These conditions are effectively treated by an urologist who can also probe for underlying conditions like kidney stone, polyp, or tumor in severe cases.

2. An overactive bladder is more common than you think: Around 40% women have to hit the bathroom every hour or so owing to this. Simple lifestyle changes like lowering the intake of caffeine and alcohol, in combination with pelvic floor exercises can solve the problem.

3. Women sometimes pee in their pants too: A majority of the female population between 40 and 60 suffer from either stress incontinence (when you cough, sneeze or laugh) or urgency incontinence (leaking when you want to go badly). Urologists want you to know that there are less invasive options and medications available to treat this problem.

4. Walk the exercise path to good health: Exercises for your vagina like kegal are great when done right. You can connect with a practitioner who specializes in toning and the stimulation of pelvic floor muscles to treat incontinence.  

5. Pelvic pain: If it is not gynecology then its urology - A general pain in the pelvic region triggers a visit to the gynecologist first for most women. From menstrual cramps to ovarian cysts, all of this may well be taken care of by your gynecologist too. But when the usual culprits are not the cause for your discomfort, it's time you get the urology aspect examined thoroughly too.  

6. Know the difference between UTI and STI: Because of cross symptoms, one often gets mistaken for the other. So check with your urologist to understand the cause and cure of your particular problem.

7. Recognize pelvic organ prolapse: This condition is defined by a bit of bladder, rectal, or uterine tissue bulging into your vagina. An urologist can provide non invasive options to deal with this.

8. Women can get kidney stones too: This is true especially when you forget to hydrate yourself in hot climates or high temperature situations.

9. Urology can solve some sexual problems too: Whether it's sexual dysfunction, low libido or trouble reaching orgasm, urology can play its part to help you out.

What is Involuntary Urination?

Involuntary urination is condition in which person losses his control on bladder. It is the lack of bladder control. There is three types of involuntary urination:

1) Stress incontinence

2) Overactive bladder

3) Overflow incontinence.

Symptoms of Involuntary Urination-

• Stress on bladder such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting something heavy.
• Physically changes resulting from pregnancy
• Strong push to urinate
• Inability to empty your bladder
• Functional incontinence in older adults
• Continuous leaking of urine

Causes of Involuntary Urination-

• Intake of alcohol
• Over hydration and Dehydration
• Hard stool or Constipation
• Medications and muscle relaxants

Risk factors of Involuntary Urination-

• Overweight
• Smoking
• Women are higher chance of involuntary Urination than men
• Old age
• Kidney diseases

Complications of Involuntary Urination-

• Skin infections
• Lack of concentration
• Repeated urinary tract infections
• Embarrassment in personal life

Diagnosis of Involuntary Urination-

Diagnosis of Involuntary Urination :-

• Doctor may ask you to keep a bladder diary for one or two weeks.
• Common test such as Urinalysis and blood test
• Special test such as Postvoid residual (PVR) measurement, Pelvic ultrasound, Stress test, Urodynamic testing, Cystogram & Cystoscopy

Precautions & Prevention of Involuntary Urination-

• Avoiding taking tea or coffee before bedtime
• Do not smoke
• Go to the bathroom at regular times
• Maintain a healthy weight

Treatment of Involuntary Urination-

• Homeopathic Treatment of Involuntary Urination
• Acupuncture Treatment of Involuntary Urination
• Psychotherapy Treatment of Involuntary Urination
• Conventional / Allopathic Treatment of Involuntary Urination
• Surgical Treatment of Involuntary Urination
• Dietary & Herbal Treatment of Involuntary Urination
• Other Treatment of Involuntary Urination

Homeopathic Treatment of Involuntary Urination-

Homeopathic medicines help bladder muscle tone, infections, reducing discomfort and encouraging fast recovery. Homoeopathic remedies are also useful when a person feels anxious both before and during urination. Following are few homeopathic remedies for involuntary urination.

• Arnica
• Equisetum
• Lycopodium
• Borax
• Belladonna
• Causticum
• Kreosotum
• Ferrum phos
   

Acupuncture and Acupressure Treatment of Involuntary Urination-

Acupuncture can stimulate the sympathetic regulation and parasympathetic bladder detrusor role, thus enabling storage of urine bladder and urinary function to adjust. 

Psychotherapy and Hypnotherapy Treatment of Involuntary Urination-

Psychotherapy and hypnotherapy treatment of Involuntary Urination helped to alter their thoughts and feelings about urination and public bathrooms. It involves the treatments such as encouragement of self-reliance, participation in management, inculcation of self-respect and responsibility are also recommended by many experts. .

Conventional / Allopathic Treatment of Involuntary Urination-

Allopathic medicines are used to help stop involuntary spasms of the bladder and stop contractions of bladder muscle that cause some kinds of bladder control problems.

Surgical Treatment of Involuntary Urination-

There are four major options for bladder surgery: retropubic suspension, urethral sling procedure, bladder stone removal, and artificial urinary sphincter.

Dietary & Herbal Treatment of Involuntary Urination-

• Eat diet rich in fiber
• Limit your drinks

Other Treatment of Involuntary Urination-

Daily exercising of pelvic muscles can improve, and even prevent, urinary incontinence. This is particularly helpful for younger women.

Be it frequent urination, painful urination, or change in color of urine, you must not hesitate to visit a urologist, especially when the symptoms persist for more than two days. Typically, an abnormal urge to urinate is directly affected by any infection in the bladder or due to any underlying medical condition. A urologist who is specialized in the study and treatment of disorders related to the urinary system is the right person to diagnose the problem and put you on the right treatment. Read on to have an insight into symptoms that would necessitate a urologist visit.

Inability to urinate: Many people tend to have calcium depositions in their urinary tract. This is what is known as a stone. When this stone grows big in dimension, it can block the ureters or the urethra. In both these situations, the total urine output reduces to a great extent or can stop completely. The first symptom, in this case, will be an intolerable pain in the back or lower abdomen. This is also a common sign in males with an enlarged prostate.

As the prostate grows in size, it pushes onto the bladder, thus again making it difficult to release urine.

1. Pain in the lower abdomen: Pain in the lower abdomen is also a symptom of various kinds of urinary problems. If the pain is accompanied by urinary frequency or a burning sensation during urination, it inevitably prompts a visit to the urologist to check for bladder cancer or prostate.
2. Blood in urine: Irrespective of the gender of the sufferer, blood in the urine is never a good sign. An immediate visit to the urologist is suggested as he can order tests which can highlight an infection or a disease or in extreme cases, even the early signs of cancer in kidney or bladder.
3. Repeated urinary tract infections: Cases might arise, when a particular person is suffering from two or more infections in a span of 6 months. This situation should never be ignored, and immediately a doctor should be visited as this can be a serious health problem in both men and women. Prophylactic or some antibiotic treatments will be prescribed in this case.
4. Chronic pain in the pelvic region: This is again another urinary condition which can affect both sexes. This condition is characterized by increased frequency of urination and nocturia and pain in the lower abdomen are also reported. Nocturia is severe nighttime urination. The treatment for this condition depends on the reason. A series of tests and examinations have to be carried out to find out the reason, and accordingly, a treatment plan has to be charted out.

Apart from the symptoms mentioned above, if you experience uncontrolled urine leakage or any sediments in urine or if you sense any abnormality concerning the lower abdominal area a urologist visit is warranted. No need to shy away from reporting even such minor discomfort as it could help avoid dire consequences.

Your uterus is held in place by ligaments, tissues and pelvic muscles. The prolapse occurs when the ligaments or muscles weaken, and thus they can no longer support the uterus. The uterus slips or sags from its usual position into the birth canal (vagina).

Uterine prolapse could be complete or incomplete:

• If the uterus partly sags into the vagina, the prolapse is incomplete.
• If the uterus falls, and tissues are found to be resting in the vagina's exterior, the prolapse is termed 'complete'

Type of Prolapse:

1. Cystocele: It is characterized by the herniation (bulging) of the vaginal wall caused by the bladder; it leads to urination problems
2. Enterocele: It is characterized by the bulging on the vaginal wall caused by the bowel; it leads to backache
3. Rectocele: If the rectum pushes into the vaginal wall, it makes movement in bowels difficult

Causes:
Uterine prolapse can be caused by any of the following factors:

• Normal childbirth through the vagina weakens muscles
• Pelvic muscles weaken with age
• Tissues weaken after menopause and oestrogen loss
• Chronic cough, constipation, pelvic tumours or abdominal fluid accumulation puts a lot of pressure on the abdomen leading to prolapse
• Pelvic muscles are stressed if you are obese or overweight
• Major pelvic (or areas around it) surgery leads to loss of muscular support
• Smoking
• Excessive weight lifting causes weakening of muscles

Symptoms:
Symptoms of uterine prolapse depend on its severity. There are no symptoms or signs if you have mild uterine prolapse. But if you have moderate to severe uterine prolapse, you might experience the following symptoms:

1. Sensation of pulling or heaviness in the pelvis
2. Tissue bulges out of your vagina
3. Urinary problems like urine retention or urine leakage
4. Bowel movement difficulties
5. Pain in lower back
6. Sexual problems such as vaginal tissues feeling loose

Symptoms might feel less distressing during the morning, but they worsen at night.

The condition of enlarged prostate occurs due to the enlargement of a man’s prostate gland, with the passage in time. Also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), it is more common in men over the age of 60. Some cases might have symptoms and others may be symptomless. Although the causes are relatively unknown, it is evident that BPH is not a form of cancer, neither does it cause cancer. The prostate is located below the bladder and is responsible for producing the fluid needed by semen. The growth of the prostate tissue that is associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia begins near the inner prostate which is a tissue ring around the urethra. Its growth is generally inward.

Causes
It is of common knowledge that in males, the urine originates from the bladder and flows through the urethra. BPH is a condition where the prostate experiences a benign i.e. non cancerous enlargement which leads to blockage of urine flow through the urethra (the urinary duct). The resultant enlargement, caused due to the gradual multiplication of cells, subjects the urethra to extra pressure. Further narrowing of the urethra causes more contraction of the bladder, resulting in the urine being forcefully pushed out of the body.

With time, the condition leads to the bladder muscles gradually becoming thicker, stronger and oversensitive. Contraction occurs even due to the presence of small amounts of urine, giving rise to frequent needs of urination. At one point, the bladder muscle is unable to overcome the effects of the narrowed urethra. Due to this, urine does not pass properly and the urethra is not emptied.

Some of the common symptoms of enlarged prostate include:

1. Frequent urination
2. Urgency to urinate
3. Difficulty during urination
4. A slow or weak urinary stream
5. Requirement of extra effort to urinate
6. Interrupted sleep due to need of urination

Further risks
Sometimes, when the bladder is not emptied completely, a risk of urinary tract infections develops. Some other serious problems which can be a result of enlarged prostate include blood in urine, bladder stones as well as acute urinary retention (inability to urinate). In some rare cases, kidney and/or bladder damage might also result from such a condition. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

While certain health conditions cause physical trauma, there are conditions that cause mental trauma as well. One such problem is urinary incontinence that causes embarrassment in the sufferer. Urinary incontinence is a clinical condition where there is a loss of bladder control which invariably leads to accidental leakage of urine. An individual suffering from this condition may feel an urgent need to pass urine right before passing a significant amount of urine.

The severity of the condition can be under control, or it could be a major concern. Some people are not able to take part in the day to day activities such as lifting heavy weights or exercising, and it leads to emotional distress. The condition may cause other issues and increase one's chance of developing other health issues like high blood sugar and obesity.

What are the possible causes?

• Urinary incontinence in men occurs when the brain fails to give the signal to the bladder for the sphincters to squeeze properly. It may cause contraction of the bladder muscles to a great extent or fail to contract altogether. If the sphincter muscles or the associated nerves are damaged, it can lead to various issues.
• Moreover, some people are born with problems in the urinary tract, which increases the chances of developing urinary incontinence. Also, a history of surgery involving the urinary tract or prostate cancer or radiation therapy for prostate cancer may cause this problem in men.
• It is important to note that urinary incontinence is not a disease. It is instead regarded as a symptom of some health issue or any incident.

Knowing the type is crucial to decide on the treatment
There are mainly four types of urinary incontinence in men which include:

1. Urgency incontinence: This happens when a person starts urinating involuntarily after the urgent need to urinate. It is primarily caused by involuntary bladder contractions triggered by abnormal nerve signals.
2. Stress incontinence: This may result from movements exerting pressure on the bladder and causing leakage of urine. This stress may result from coughing, sneezing, laughing or any other physical activity.
3. Functional incontinence: This type of urinary incontinence takes place when some physical disability or external obstacles or problems keep a person from urinating at the right time. For instance, a man in a wheelchair may face difficulties in going to the toilet in time.
4. Overflow incontinence: If the bladder is not able to empty correctly then it may result in the spilling of excess urine leading to urinary incontinence. People suffering from urinary incontinence may require frequent urination since they are only able to release a small part of what their bladder can hold.

What are the treatment options for urinary incontinence in men?
A healthcare professional may recommend behavioral and lifestyle changes along with other therapies such as pelvic floor exercises and bladder training to help reduce the severity of urinary incontinence in men. In severe cases, medications are prescribed to establish bladder control.

A pretty common condition in the elderlies, urinary incontinence can be treated and managed with an awareness and medical help. In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Urinary incontinence is a problem that can affect anyone. Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control or the ability of a person to control his/her urine output. It is an embarrassing problem as the urgeto urinate and lack of bladder control can occur even when you are in the middle of something important. This condition is classified by its severity and ranges from the occasional urine leakage to the discharge of urine so suddenly that the person will not be able to make it to the toilet in time.

Symptoms and types:
The symptoms of urinary incontinence are to do with urine output, and can be categorized by minor leaks of urine to moderate amounts. In some cases, the urine discharge can be sudden. This condition is more common among the elderly.

Types of urinary incontinence:

1. Stress incontinence: The leakage occurs when you are exerting pressure on your bladder, and can include instances of coughing, sneezing, exercising or even lifting something heavy.
2. Urge incontinence: There is an intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. The sensation or urge to urinate will be often. This can occur throughout the night too and can cause discomfort both physically and mentally.
3. Overflow incontinence: This is experienced when your bladder does not empty completely. As a result, you would be experiencing constant dribbling of urine. No matter how many times you go to the toilet, the dribbling will continue.
4. Functional incontinence: This type of incontinence is caused by an impairment, disorder or condition that prevents you from making it to the toilet in time. For example, if you are elderly or if you have severe arthritis, you may not be able to reach the bathroom in time.
5. Mixed incontinence: This happens when you experience more than one or two types of the above mentioned urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence is not a disease, but could be a symptom of an underlying condition. Do consult with your physician if you notice these symptoms and get treated for it. A simple urinalysis will help to determine and diagnose infections and other disorders causing this condition.

Prevention:
There are many factors that can put you at risk. Most involve everyday habits and the food that we eat. There are certain drinks such as alcohol, caffeine, aerated drinks, and chocolate drinks that can also stimulate your bladder and can increase the output of urine temporarily. Reducing your intake of these beverages particularly at night and limiting your intake of spicy foods could help you deal with this condition.

Making a few healthy lifestyle changes such as maintaining a healthy weight and regular exercises to strengthen the pelvic region can help to prevent conditions such as urinary incontinence. Watch what you eat and curb your intake of acidic and spicy foods. Also, limit or reduce your consumption of foods high in preservatives. Quit smoking and reducing the intake of alcohol will also be beneficial.

Coping with urinary incontinence can be embarrassing. Hence talk to your doctor about it and get medical attention immediately. Using adult diapers could help reduce the stress and embarrassment involved with this condition.