Cyprus Treatment for Urinary Incontinence
What is Urinary Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence implies involuntary and uncontrolled urination. Its medical name is urinary incontinence. Although urinary incontinence may occur in people of all ages, it is encountered more frequently in the elderly. If it is a continuing problem, it is identified as a disease. Urinary incontinence has a large impact on quality of life and may lead to social and psychological problems. Although urinary incontinence is encountered in both women and men, it is encountered more frequently in women.
What are the Types of Urinary Incontinence?
Stress incontinence: Stress incontinence happens when physical movement or activity — such as coughing, laughing, sneezing or heavy lifting — puts pressure (stress) on your bladder. It is caused by poor nerves and muscles.
Urge incontinence: Patient has a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. Bladder contracts in an uncontrolled way.
Mixed incontinence: Both conditions are applicable simultaneously.
What are the Causes of Urinary Incontinence?
The most frequent causes of urinary incontinence are as follows:
- Obesity,
- Old age,
- Weak bladder muscles,
- Genetics,
- Constipation,
- Cystitis,
- Vaginal infections,
- Urinary calculi or renal calculi,
- Diabetics,
- Menopause,
- Difficult childbirth,
- Enlarged prostate in men,
- Taking muscle relaxants, medicine to lower blood pressure, diuretics, tranquilizers, antidepressants and antihistamines,
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease,
- Nervous system diseases,
- Fistula between vagina and urinary bladder.
How is Urinary Incontinence Diagnosed?
First of all, patient’s full medical history (anamnesis) is taken. Conditions which trigger incontinence and type and frequency of incontinence are inquired. Blood sugar, urinary test, urinary culture, ultrasound and urodynamic may be required for diagnosis.
How is Urinary Incontinence Treated?
Urinary incontinence problem leads to low self-esteem and feelings of shame. Therefore, patients who experience urinary incontinence problem go to doctor later than usual.
Your doctor will ask you to take required tests and administer the suitable treatment method for you following detailed anamnesis and physical examination.
Treatment for urinary incontinence is planned considering the type and severity of urinary incontinence problem, whether there is accompanying genital organ prolapse or laxity and, if any, its severity, previous urinary incontinence operation, age of the patient, medical history, academic background, urodynamic evaluation results and pelvic muscle strength measurement.
Treatment for urinary incontinence is divided into two categories as operative and non-operative treatment methods. Doctor evaluates patient’s complaints and decides on the right method of treatment depending on the healing potential.
Doctor considers whether there are any adverse effects and if the operation’s effect is long-lasting in order to choose the right method of treatment.
Non-operative is the primary option especially in stress incontinence that occurs due to weak nerve and muscles.
Non-Operative Treatment Options for Urinary Incontinence:
- Bladder training
- Pelvic floor muscle exercises
- Biofeedback
- Electric stimulation
- Vaginal and urethral tools
- Drug therapy
- Acupuncture
Operative Treatment Methods for Urinary Incontinence:
Generally, the doctor who examines the patient decides whether surgical operation is required or not. Full medical history is asked and some tests are done before operation. Operation is performed if the patient is suitable for the surgery. Generally, patients can go home conveniently after the operation.
Several new methods are administered today for operative treatment. These are abdominal Burch operation, vaginal TVT (transvaginal tape) and TOT (transobturator tape). The success rate of these operations are 85%. Moreover, filling materials can be injected around the urinary tract; however, this method is not preferred much.
Urinary incontinence problem can be treated simultaneously during vagina tightening or rejuvenation operation. Such operations can be usually performed by experienced and specialized gynecologists and yield successful results by 85 to 90%.
Patient must definitely take the medicine prescribed by the doctor after operation regularly. Dressing must be applied periodically and patient must see the doctor on the days prescribed by the doctor. Complete recovery takes 1 month after such operations.
