Understanding and Treating
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence, or the loss of bladder control, is a common and often embarrassing issue. It can range from occasional leaks when you cough, sneeze, or laugh to a sudden, intense urge to urinate that makes it difficult to reach the toilet in time.
While it becomes more frequent with age, urinary incontinence is not a normal part of ageing. If it disrupts your daily life, it is important to seek help. Understanding the causes and recognising the symptoms are essential for managing urinary incontinence.
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How Does Urinary Incontinence Occur?
Urinary incontinence occurs when the normal control over the bladder is disrupted, leading to involuntary urine leakage. Several factors can contribute to this condition:
- Weak Pelvic Floor Muscles: Over time, or due to physical stress such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, the muscles that support the bladder and urethra can weaken. This weakness can cause urine leakage during activities that increase abdominal pressure, like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects.
- Overactive Bladder Muscles: This occurs when the bladder muscles contract too often or without warning, causing a sudden, strong urge to urinate. Neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, stroke, and Parkinson’s disease, can interfere with the nerves that control bladder function, leading to involuntary urine leakage.
- Obstructions or Blockages: An obstruction in the bladder can prevent it from emptying properly, leading to overflow incontinence. Causes of obstructions include tumours pressing against the bladder, urinary stones, and severe constipation.
- Anatomical Defects and Injuries: In some cases, an anatomical defect present from birth or a spinal cord injury can impair the nerve signals between the brain and the bladder. Additionally, a fistula — an abnormal connection between the bladder and another organ, usually the vagina — can cause continuous leakage.
Understanding these causes is essential for managing urinary incontinence effectively. By identifying the underlying factors, individuals can seek appropriate treatments and take proactive steps to improve their bladder control and overall quality of life.
Types of Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence can manifest in various forms, each with its own unique set of causes and characteristics. Here are the following types:
Stress Incontinence
This type of urinary incontinence happens when your pelvic floor muscles have stretched, so pressure on the bladder makes you leak urine. It can occur when you cough, sneeze, lift something heavy, or exercise and can range from mild to severe. Stress incontinence can significantly impact daily activities.
Urge Incontinence
Also called overactive bladder, this type occurs when you have a sudden need to urinate. Your bladder receives nerve signals to empty even when you are not prepared to urinate. You might feel the need to urinate frequently and might not make it to the bathroom in time. Urge incontinence can also wake you up throughout the night and is more common as you get older.
Overflow Incontinence
Overflow incontinence occurs when your bladder doesn’t empty completely, leading to frequent or constant dribbling of urine. This type happens when your bladder muscles are weak or blockages prevent normal urine flow. Overflow incontinence can lead to urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Function Incontinence
Also known as Neurogenic incontinence, this type of urinary incontinence arises when a physical or cognitive impairment prevents you from reaching the toilet in time. For instance, severe arthritis might make it difficult to unbutton your pants quickly enough, or cognitive conditions like dementia can hinder timely bathroom access.
Mixed Incontinence
Mixed incontinence combines features of both stress and urge incontinence. This means you may leak urine due to pressure on the bladder and experience a strong, sudden urge to urinate. Managing this type of incontinence can be stressful as it involves symptoms of both conditions.
Total Incontinence
Total incontinence is characterised by a complete loss of bladder control, resulting in constant urine leakage. Causes include physical abnormalities, severe nerve damage, or other significant medical conditions that prevent any control over urination. This type of incontinence requires comprehensive medical intervention.
Other Causes
Other factors contributing to urinary incontinence include:
- Medications: Diuretics, antihypertensives, sedatives, and muscle relaxants can affect bladder function, potentially leading to incontinence.
- Dietary Factors: Excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine can irritate the bladder and increase the frequency of urination.
- UTIs: UTIs can cause temporary incontinence due to bladder irritation and increased urgency.
Potential Treatments for Urinary Incontinence
In Singapore, approximately 15 per cent of women experience stress urinary incontinence, yet many feel too embarrassed to discuss it with friends or healthcare providers. They often adapt their lifestyles to avoid embarrassment, mistakenly believing that urinary incontinence is a natural part of ageing.
For those seeking urinary incontinence treatment in Singapore, we offer personalised procedures to meet your individual needs. Our non-invasive methods are designed to enhance bladder control and improve your quality of life, regardless of the duration of your symptoms.
Even if you have been managing incontinence for years, we can help you address the condition and related issues such as frequent urination and discomfort. With cutting-edge technology and a patient-focused approach, our experienced team will guide you through every step of the way, ensuring the highest standards of care and safety.
Advanced Technology Used for Urinary Incontinence
At our wellness centres, we use cutting-edge technology to treat urinary incontinence. One of our key tools is the FDA-approved BTL Emsella device, which utilises High-Intensity Focused Electromagnetic (HIFEM) technology. Each 30-minute session induces thousands of supramaximal pelvic floor muscle contractions, similar to Kegel exercises. These contractions provide numerous benefits:
- Enhancing bladder control and reducing leakage.
- Strengthening pelvic floor muscles.
- Improving overall pelvic health.
This advanced technology, combined with our personalised treatment plans, aims to help you regain bladder control and functionality, improving your quality of life through comprehensive and effective care.
Take our Urinary Incontinence Assessment today and learn more about how we can help you regain control.
Why Choose Orchard Clinic
Orchard Clinic is Singapore’s premier wellness centre for urinary incontinence treatment, where our focus is on sustainable results. By emphasising advanced technology and muscle strengthening, our experienced team aims to enhance your overall health and well-being. We provide personalised care tailored to ensure lasting treatment outcomes.
Ready to take the next step towards better bladder control and improved quality of life? Contact us today to schedule a consultation and start your journey towards a more confident you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Urinary Incontinence
How do I stop Urinary Incontinence from affecting my life?
Managing urinary incontinence involves a combination of lifestyle changes, exercises, and advanced treatments. Here are some effective strategies:
- Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegels): Regularly performing Kegel exercises can strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, improving bladder control.
- Bladder Training: Schedule bathroom visits at specific times and gradually extend the time between urination to increase bladder capacity and control.
- Diet and Fluid Management: Reduce intake of bladder irritants such as caffeine and alcohol. Stay hydrated but avoid excessive fluid intake.
- Weight Management: Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles.
- Advanced Treatments: Non-invasive treatments like the BTL Emsella device use HIFEM technology to improve bladder control through powerful pelvic floor muscle contractions.
Am I at a higher risk of Urinary Incontinence as I get older?
Your body undergoes various changes throughout your life, and as you age, the muscles supporting your pelvic organs can weaken. This reduced support for the bladder and urethra often leads to urine leakage. The risk of developing urinary incontinence increases with age, especially if you have chronic health conditions, have given birth, or experienced menopause. It’s important to discuss the management of incontinence with a doctor before seeking any treatment.
Does Urinary Incontinence affect women more than men?
Urinary incontinence is significantly more prevalent in women than in men. This difference is largely due to factors such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. During pregnancy, the growing uterus can put pressure on the bladder, leading to temporary bladder control issues that typically improve after childbirth. However, some women continue to experience incontinence postpartum due to the strain childbirth places on the pelvic floor muscles, weakening them and making leakage more likely. Menopause also contributes to incontinence in women. Hormonal changes, particularly the decrease in oestrogen, can affect bladder control, making incontinence more prevalent during this stage of life.
What are the symptoms of Urinary Incontinence?
The main symptom of incontinence is urine leakage, which can range from occasional dribbles to constant dripping. The amount of leakage can vary, with some people experiencing only small drops and others larger amounts. This can happen during activities like exercising, coughing, laughing, or sneezing. Additionally, you might feel a sudden, intense urge to urinate and may not make it to the bathroom in time.
How do I avoid urine leakage?
If you are wondering how you can stop urinary incontinence, there are several lifestyle changes and habits you can adopt. First, quit smoking, as coughing from smoking can strain your pelvic floor muscles, increasing the risk of incontinence. Doing the right exercises, particularly pelvic floor exercises (Kegels), can strengthen these muscles and improve bladder control. It’s also important to avoid lifting heavy objects, as this can put additional pressure on your bladder.
Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce the strain on your pelvic floor muscles, so consider losing excess weight if necessary. Treat constipation promptly, as straining during bowel movements can worsen incontinence. Reducing your intake of caffeine and alcohol can help, as both can irritate the bladder. Lastly, ensure you drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and promote overall bladder health.
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