January 08, 2009

A common problem, especially in older people and more so in women as compared to men, is urinary incontinence, where patients lose bladder control and pass urine involuntarily. Because it is not easily discussed, it is often called the ‘silent epidemic’, as most women are too embarrassed to talk about it and accept it as a natural condition related to aging.

Although urinary incontinence is not a disease, it does indicate a problem caused by a number of physical or neurological reasons and could result in depression, skin irritation and kidney failure.

A common cause may be menopause, when the absence of estrogens can cause the bladder to drop or prolapse. Childbirth, hysterectomy and obesity can also weaken the pelvic muscles. Moreover, certain neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis, stroke, Alzheimer’s, spinal cord injuries, or a brain tumour can cause loss of bladder control.What needs to be registered and understood is that incontinence is more than a simple hygiene concern, for it disrupts daily activities and severely impacts the quality of life. Patients do not want to venture far from their homes. They limit their social interactions and lose self-esteem. People who wish to remain clean for religious purposes can be devastated by this condition.

Most bladder problems can be cured and nearly all of them can be managed. Once the type of incontinence is identified, treatment is prescribed accordingly. Stress incontinence, the most common type of bladder control problem in women, occurs when the patient sneezes, coughs, laughs, exercises or puts pressure on the bladder. Urge incontinence is when one has a strong need to urinate but can’t reach the toilet in time. This can happen even when the bladder is holding only a small amount of urine.

Mostly incontinence is a combination of different types of bladder control problems, usually stress and urge incontinence. These problems often occur together in older women.

No matter which type of incontinence you have, there is a vast range of treatment options available, which include simple exercises, behavioural modifications, medications and, as a last resort, surgery. Today, no woman need compromise her lifestyle because of incontinence when she has every chance of improving both her physical and emotional well-being. — Anisa Haji