Outline
Introduction
Types Of Urinary Incontinence
What Puts You At Risk Of Developing UI
How Can Physiotherapy Help You Manage UI
Conclusion
Introduction
Urinary incontinence (UI) is an unintentional urination (leakage of pee). The World Health Organization estimates that more than 200 million people are suffering from this disease worldwide. However, the exact number is unknown due to underreporting in poorer countries and women hiding their symptoms. Around 60% of women with UI hide it due to shame even when seeing a doctor. 3 UI is a concern for the World Health Organization because it is causing physical, emotional, and social issues for women. It can cause anxiety, pressure sores, poor sleep quality, infections, falls, and fractures, which are primary causes of death in adults over 65. 1
TYPES OF URINARY INCONTINENCE
- Stress urinary incontinence is when urine leaks during activities that increase stomach pressure due to weak vaginal muscles. (Examples of such activities are sneezing, or coughing). It can affect young women active in sports, as well as pregnant women and those who have had multiple childbirths.
- Urge urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine caused by a sudden urge to urinate. It may occur when you have bladder irritation or loss of bladder control.
- Mixed urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine caused by a combination of stress and urge UI.
- Overflow urinary incontinence is due to an overfilled bladder leading to urine leakage due to impaired bladder outlet. Conditions like spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes can also cause it.
- Functional incontinence, also called toileting difficulty, is when your urine leaks involuntarily due to physical or environmental barriers to toileting. 4
What Puts You At Risk Of Developing Urinary Incontinence
- Age
- Obesity
- No of child birth
- Mode of delivery
- Conditions such as diabetes, stroke, and depression 5
How Can Physiotherapy Help You Manage Urinary Incontinence?
Here are some physiotherapy treatments for UI; Pelvic floor muscle training, Electric stimulation, and Behavioral therapy.
Pelvic floor muscle training (exercise); The primary treatment for pelvic floor issues is pelvic floor muscle training, 5 which aims to increase muscle mass and resting tension. It improves strength, deep sensation, and bladder control. 6
Electrical stimulation (ES); Electrostimulation activates muscles to support your bladder function. 6
Behavioral therapy; The treatment aims to improve your lifestyle by managing your fluid and diet intake, controlling your weight, and regulating your bowel movements. You will learn how your bladder and pelvic floor muscles work. It will help you understand the normal functioning of your lower urinary tract. 5
A healthy lifestyle will guarantee your health and enhance your quality of life. 7
Conclusion
Urinary incontinence threatens women’s physical and mental well-being. Physiotherapy effectively treats UI in women of all ages to improve their quality of life.
References
Batmani, S., Jalali, R., Mohammadi, M., & Bokaee, S. (2021). Prevalence and factors related to urinary incontinence in older adults women worldwide: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies. BMC geriatrics, 21, 1-17.
Bø, K. (2020). Physiotherapy management of urinary incontinence in females. Journal of physiotherapy, 66(3), 147-154. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1836955320300655
Kopańska M, Torices S, Czech J, Koziara W, Toborek M, Dobrek Ł. Urinary incontinence in women: biofeedback as an innovative treatment method. Ther Adv Urol. 2020 Jun 25;12:1756287220934359. doi: 10.1177/1756287220934359. PMID: 32647538; PMCID: PMC7325537.
Tran LN, Puckett Y. Urinary Incontinence. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559095/
Urinary Incontinence. (2023, November 21). Physiopedia, . Retrieved 10:03, May 1, 2024 from https://www.physio-pedia.com/index.php?title=Urinary_Incontinence&oldid=345401.
Wójcik, M., Placek, K., Goździewicz, T., Plagens-Rotman, K., Merks, P., Mizgier, M., … & Jarząbek-Bielecka, G. (2023). The application of physiotherapy in urinary incontinence. Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology, 50(1), 7. https://www.imrpress.com/journal/CEOG/50/1/10.31083/j.ceog5001007/htm
