Urinary incontinence (UI) is widely considered to be the most embarrassing thing by people dealing with it, and they are often hesitant to discuss it with anyone. Mostly, it is assumed that senior citizens face this issue. And people suffer in silence, thinking nothing can be done.
First, let's make it crystal clear that there are many myths associated with this topic. Especially that urinary incontinence affects only older adults. Wrong! UI can occur at any age.
So, it's myth-busting time. You will find out five urinary incontinence myths busted in this article. Let's get started.
What is Urinary Incontinence?
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Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leaking of urine due to the loss of bladder control. The problem's severity differs from one person to another. For instance, UI can happen when you cough or sneeze or have an urgent urge to urinate that you don't make it to the toilet in time.
In fact, there are different types of urinary incontinence based on stress, overflow, mixed, and functional, and they can affect people of different ages.
Answer the following questions:
- Do you have a strong urge to pee when there is pressure or spasms in your pelvic area?
- Do you urinate while sleeping?
- Do you find yourself using the bathroom more than usual? For instance, more than eight times a day or more than a couple of times at night?
Well, if your answer is yes to the above questions, you are likely affected by urinary incontinence.
What are the common myths about urinary incontinence?
Here are a few myths about urinary incontinence:
Myth #1: Urinary incontinence is a normal part of aging
Well, we accept that urinary incontinence is a common problem among elderly people. But do you know that not all aging people will suffer from it?
The notable part is that even young people, especially sporty people, suffer from incontinence. Because they exert high pressure on their bladders while working out. In some cases, obesity, smoking, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, and other medical conditions can also cause UI.
So, the point is various factors contribute to UI, including lifestyle, genetics, and age.
It can’t be said that age is the only reason.
Irrespective of age, if you start noticing symptoms, let the doctor know about it without shying away.
Myth #2: Urinary incontinence is caused by a small bladder
There is no such thing as a big or small bladder. Most people possess a bladder that is normal in size, and it can hold about 2 cups of urine. When pressure is exerted on the bladder walls, you experience the need to urinate. So, your brain signals the layer of muscles surrounding the bladder's inner lining, which forces the muscle to contract and let the urine out of the bladder.
At the same time, the sphincter muscle near the urethra also relaxes so that the urine comes out. So, the nerve and the muscles must work together to complete this process.
The problem of urinary incontinence occurs when the muscles and nerves–that help the bladder hold urine and pass it–don't work as they should.
Myth #3: Urinary incontinence is only a problem for women
This is the biggest myth that needs to be busted today.
Urinary incontinence occurs in both genders. But women are likely to be affected - much more than men. In fact, the prevalence of UI is lower in men (3% to 11%) compared to women (3% to 17%).
So, as you can see, men are affected less than women, but that doesn't mean men aren't affected at all. 0.1% is not zero percent, right?
Men are prone to urinary incontinence due to prostate problems, diabetes, stroke, and high blood pressure, among other reasons.
Obesity also increases the risk of UI, and losing weight can help the bladder function normally.
Myth #4: Urinary incontinence can be reduced by drinking fewer fluids
This is not true at all. In fact, if you fail to drink a good amount of water, your urine is likely to get strong, irritating your bladder.
With the correct amount of water, you can prevent your body from dehydrating, keep your urine diluted, avert bladder irritation, and thus reduce incontinence. So, you cannot reduce UI problems by drinking fewer fluids. But the reverse can help.
However, limiting the fluid intake before bedtime can help prevent UI problems when you sleep.
Myth #5: Urinary incontinence can only be treated with surgery
While many people dealing with urinary incontinence think it can't be fixed at all, some people, on the other hand, think that surgery is the only way to fix it. So out of fear of surgery, they do not seek any treatment. Hear us out.
Surgical treatment for urinary incontinence is only performed if non-surgical treatments fail to work.
This means that with the advancement in the medical field, there are numerous fixes found to deal with urinary incontinence.
Some non-surgical treatment options for urinary incontinence include:
- Bladder training: By building a routine where you pee only after 2 or 3 hours and training your brain as such, you can reduce urinary incontinence. When you feel the urge, you can use deep breathing or meditation to get through it. With time and practice, you can make this a habit. But patience is much more important, and don't be hard on yourself.
- Double voiding: Double voiding means emptying the bladder twice, by urinating once and then urinating again after a few minutes.
- Exercise: When your pelvic floor muscles are strong, they can hold in your urine. So, try Kegel exercises that help tighten and relax muscles that release and stop your pee. If you have trouble, consult a doctor or a physical therapist and get special training to flex them correctly.
- Diet restrictions: Modifying your diet, like reducing caffeine intake, can, in turn, reduce the risk of leakage.
- Medication: There are some medicines proven to handle bladder muscle control. But taking them based on your doctor's prescription is important.
If the above methods do not work, then the doctor will try minimally invasive methods like the insertion of medical devices, electrical nerve stimulation, and bulking agents. If all else fails, then the doctor will suggest surgery.
Even then, the surgical procedures are not something to be concerned about, thanks to new advancements in technology and medicine. You will be under anesthesia, and the procedure will be quick, safe, and highly effective.
There is no need to feel embarrassed about having urinary incontinence. It is not a rare problem. Millions of people are dealing with it. And remember, this is not something you have to live with, as there are many ways to treat it.
Whom should you visit to treat urinary incontinence? You may need the help of a urologist who specializes in treating urinary problems in both women and men.
If you're suffering from urinary incontinence, book an appointment with Dr. Ashit Shah, chief urologist of Aashray Urology Institute, Vadodara.
With 27 years of experience in the profession of Urology, Dr. Ashit has successfully performed 15,000 surgeries. So, get yourself treated by an experienced doctor and book an appointment with Dr. Shah today!
