Despite 25 million U.S. adults struggling with urinary incontinence, only a minority seek treatment. A controlled study of over 5000 people revealed that only 45% of women and 22% of men sought help.
Failing to treat urinary incontinence can cause the underlying issues to go unnoticed and become increasingly severe. It can also lead to dangerous infections, such as bladder or kidney infections. Below we discuss why treating urinary incontinence is crucial and how to manage it:
What Is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is when a person leaks urine involuntarily. It means the person does not have control over the urinary sphincter, which interferes with their ability to store and urinate effectively.
Although urinary incontinence is common among older people, it can happen to anyone. Typically, medical professionals categorize incontinence into two types:
Temporary Urinary Incontinence
People may develop temporary urinary incontinence due to a medicine or short-term health condition.
In some cases, temporary incontinence occurs due to unhealthy eating and drinking habits, such as alcohol and caffeine.
Persistent Urinary Incontinence
Many illnesses and injuries associated with your bladder and brain damage the pelvic floor, weaken bladder muscles, or stress your lower body.
As a result, people with enlarged prostate, weak pelvic floor muscles, or bladder cancer can develop permanent urinary incontinence.
Different Types Of Urinary Incontinence
There are four primary types of urinary incontinence. These include
Mixed Incontinence
Some people experience frequent or occasional dribbling of urine with activity and feel the urge to urinate due to mixed incontinence.
In people with mixed urinary incontinence, you notice symptoms of Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) and an Overactive Bladder (OAB).
Overactive Bladder (OAB)/Urgency Urinary Incontinence (UUI)
Overactive Bladder or Urgency Urinary Incontinence is another common condition where your brain commands your bladder to empty even if it’s incomplete.
Additionally, your bladder muscles might be too active, which causes them to contract before your bladder fills up. Consequently, you frequently feel the urge to urinate.
Overflow Incontinence
Overflow incontinence occurs when urine leaks from a full bladder. It might happen due to an enlarged prostate blocking the urethra, diabetes, or spinal cord injuries.
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)
Stress Urinary Incontinence is prevalent in women and typically starts around menopause. In people with SUI, urine leaks when the bladder experiences massive stress by coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting, or exercising.
Complications Of Untreated Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence significantly impacts your life, stealing your confidence and happiness. Here are several complications of this condition to learn about:
Higher Risk For Infection
Temporary and permanent incontinence can increase your risk of urinary tract infections.
Increasingly Serious Underlying Issues
Untreated urine incontinence can cause people to neglect severe underlying issues. It can hurt your physical and mental health.
Leads To A More Rapid Decline in Elderly
Urinary incontinence can impact your physical well-being and trigger a faster health decline in the elderly.
Lower Quality Of Life
The physical discomfort and feelings of shame caused by urinary incontinence can affect your emotional well-being. Therefore, incontinence can lower your life and sleep quality.
More Frequent Skin Problems
Leaking urine creates constantly wet skin, leading to rashes, soreness, and skin infections.
Negative Affect On Mental Health
Urinary incontinence can impact your social, work, and personal relationships. It can also trigger shame and embarrassment, which harms your mental health.
As a result, people with urinary incontinence might become socially withdrawn.
Treatment Options For Urinary Incontinence
Fortunately, you can alleviate the symptoms of urinary incontinence with the help of effective medical devices and products. Here are several treatment options:
Absorbent Pads And Catheters
Wearing absorbent pads, pull-on underwear, and catheters is an excellent way of regaining your confidence and avoiding embarrassing accidents.
You can easily find an absorbent pad or catheter that matches your required size and shape.
Interventional Therapies
Your healthcare provider might recommend simple interventions, such as bulking material injections and nerve stimulators.
They might also recommend botox injections to alleviate the overactive bladder symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes
Introducing simple lifestyle changes, such as avoiding coffee and alcohol, can mitigate the risk of urinary incontinence. In addition, trying kegel exercises can reduce pressure on your pelvic floor and prevent bladder pain.
Medical Devices
Medical devices like a urethral insert and pessary can treat urinary incontinence, particularly in women. Ensure you discuss this with a professional doctor.
Medication
You can use medications, including alpha blockers and topical estrogen relax your muscles, strengthen your tissues, and overcome your incontinence.
Surgery
Surgery can occasionally relieve or cure incontinence caused by a shift in bladder posture or a blockage caused by an enlarged prostate.
Summary
Urinary incontinence can lead to embarrassing incidents. Hence, incontinence products can save you from awkwardness. Contact Active Life Medical Products to purchase high-quality incontinence products.
How Active Life Medical Products Can Help With Incontinence Supplies
You need a trusted incontinence product supplier when you require incontinence supplies. Active Life Medical Products makes ordering the entire incontinence supply process easy. Our Product Specialists can help you get your prescribed incontinence supplies covered through most insurances. Everything will be delivered directly and discreetly to your front door.
Call Active Life Medical Products at (800) 319-2336 to place your order.
