Urinary Urge Incontinence
What is Urinary Urge Incontinence?
Urinary urge incontinence is a type of urinary incontinence in which a person experiences an intense, sudden urge to urinate followed by the inability to control the loss of urine. Urge incontinence, also known as involuntary urine leakage or overactive bladder, is the result of a sudden, strong need to void followed by an involuntary loss of urine. This leakage can occur at any time and can occur even when the bladder is nearly empty.
Symptoms of Urinary Urge Incontinence
The main symptom of urinary urge incontinence is a sudden, intense urge to void accompanied by an involuntary loss of urine. Other symptoms may include:
- Frequent urination (eight or more times during the day)
- Frequent urination at night (nocturia)
- Leaking of small amounts of urine
- Urinary urgency (a sudden, strong need to urinate)
- Inability to control urine flow
- Leakage of larger amounts of urine
- Difficulty starting or stopping the flow of urine
- Straining to urinate
Risk factors of Urinary Urge Incontinence
Risk factors for developing urinary urge incontinence include: advanced age (particularly women), obesity, smoking, constipation, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease. Pregnancy can also increase the risk of developing urinary urge incontinence.
Treatments for Urinary Urge Incontinence
Treatment options for urinary urge incontinence are available and depend on the underlying cause. Treatment for urinary urge incontinence may include medications, lifestyle modifications (e.g. avoiding caffeine and alcohol, weight loss, physical therapy, etc.), bladder training, and surgery.
Medications such as anticholinergics can help relax the bladder muscles and reduce bladder contractions. Meanwhile, pelvic floor exercises can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which can help control the bladder’s involuntary contractions.
In some cases, surgery may be necessary to treat urge incontinence. Surgery can be used to reposition or remove the bladder or to place a transvaginal sling to support the bladder neck and urethra.
Preventing Urinary Urge Incontinence
Although incontinence is a common problem, there are steps that can be taken to minimize its occurrence. These include:
- Perform pelvic floor exercises regularly to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Quit smoking.
- Drink fluids in moderation.
- Maintain good hygiene.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages.
- Utilize bladder training techniques.
- Avoid constipation.
- Use absorbent pads or diapers to absorb leakage, if necessary.