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The truth about stress incontinence: Why coughing makes you lose control?
Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is a common form of urinary incontinence that often occurs in response to coughing, laughing, sneezing, exercise, or any movement that increases abdominal pressure. The underlying cause of this condition is the inability of the urethral sphincter to adequately close the bladder outlet, resulting in the spontaneous loss of small amounts of urine. The normal physiological mechanism to prevent this loss is maintained by the support of the pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue, but if this support is insufficient, it can lead to uncontrolled urine loss.
Many women may suffer from stress urinary incontinence due to weakening of the pelvic floor muscles after pregnancy, childbirth, obesity and menopause.
Pathophysiology of stress urinary incontinence
The occurrence of stress urinary incontinence is often related to behaviors such as coughing. Most laboratory tests, such as urinalysis, cystometry, and postvoid residual volume, are usually normal. Research suggests that in some cases, natural childbirth and aging can significantly affect a woman's pelvic floor muscles, making them unable to function properly when faced with increased abdominal pressure.
Manifestations of stress urinary incontinence in men and women
In men, stress urinary incontinence often develops after prostate surgery, including abdominal prostatectomy. In women, pregnancy, childbirth, obesity, and low estrogen levels during menopause are the main reasons why the bladder cannot close stably. Studies have found that the condition may worsen in the week before a woman's period due to hormone fluctuations.
Treatment of stress urinary incontinenceIn some high-level athletes, effort incontinence may also occur due to the dramatic increase in abdominal pressure caused by exercise.
Drug treatment for urinary incontinence is generally not recommended. Instead, consider behavioral changes, including drinking less water and avoiding stimulant beverages, such as caffeinated drinks and alcohol, which can irritate the bladder.
Behavioral therapy, Kegel exercises, and bladder training are effective ways to improve stress urinary incontinence.
Behavior Change and Exercise
Kegel exercises are an important exercise for strengthening the pelvic floor muscles and are particularly effective for patients under 60 years old. It is recommended to perform at least 24 contractions a day for 6 weeks. The strength of the pelvic floor muscles can be assessed using professional equipment. Additionally, bladder training has been suggested to regulate urinary habits.
Urine absorbent pads and other auxiliary supplies
Urinary absorbent pads and adult diapers are common auxiliary products for combating urinary incontinence. These products have different designs, and it is extremely important to choose according to the type of activity. Of course, the preferences and availability of options differ for men and women. For women with special needs, users in care centers prefer to use diapers at night.
Candidates for surgical treatment
For those patients for whom other treatments have failed, surgery may be a last resort. There are several surgical options, including bladder repositioning and sling surgery using a synthetic mesh. These procedures offer relatively high success rates when the indications are clear.
Discussion on artificial urinary sphincter
For men, an artificial urinary sphincter implant can be used as a treatment option for urinary incontinence. This is a relatively complex procedure, but its effect is to provide adequate support when the user needs to urinate.
The future of treatment: development tailored to the individual
As medical technology advances, it becomes increasingly important to find the right treatment for each patient. It is foreseeable that future research will continue to focus on diversifying the treatment of stress urinary incontinence and exploring new materials and methods.
Stress urinary incontinence is a problem that affects the quality of life of countless people. Have you ever thought about what other lifestyle habits or self-management methods can help you effectively cope with this challenge in addition to traditional medical treatments?
