Losing Bladder Control

What is urinary incontinence? As we age, many of us find ourselves losing bladder control to some degree: a troublesome situation commonly called a urinary incontinence problem. But urinary incontinence problems don't just strike the elderly. Urinary incontinence problems can happen at any age, and it's believed they affect around 200 million people worldwide.

A urinary incontinence problem is more likely to affect women than men. The number may be as high as 75 percent. Many women wait as long as five years after they first start losing bladder control before talking to their doctor. 7 of 10 individuals of both genders eventually seek ways of treating urinary incontinence. 1 person in every 3 believes losing bladder control is a natural part of aging. But research in this field now tells us that losing bladder control isn't inevitable, even in the elderly.

Causes of a urinary incontinence problem There are a number of causes for losing bladder control. These include the following:

a bladder infection,
skin irritation inside the bladder,
drinking alcohol and caffeine: both act as a bladder stimulant and diuretic
certain medications, blood pressure drugs, sedatives, muscle relaxants and other medications,
injury or fractures from falls,
sleep disturbances,
in women, anatomical changes due to pregnancy and delivery,
in men, prostate problems,
in both men and women, problems that result from surgery in the lower abdomen,
constipation: compacted stool in the rectum places pressure on nerves in the bladder, causing these nerves to become overactive,
neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis can contribute to bladder control problems.
emotional issues (especially fear) can trigger bladder control problems.
a tumor in or near the bladder can obstruct the normal flow of urine, causing a sense of urgency more often than usual.

Treating urinary incontinence Methods of treating urinary incontinence for those who are losing bladder control depends, of course, on the causes of the urinary incontinence problem. It will also depend on the severity of the issue, along with the age and general health of the patient.

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Urinary Incontinence Problems

Are You Losing Bladder Control?