Urge
Unexpected dash for the toilet
Incontinence of urge is manifested by a strong and uncontrollable need to urinate in short time periods, even during the night. The woman is forced to immediately find a toilet and she often “doesn’t make it in time”. This type of incontinence can be caused by a urinary tract infection, bladder stones or pathological changes of the bladder wall. Very rarely, it could even be caused by a tumour.
Treatment: These days, the doctors already have sufficient number of remedies to treat the urinary tract infections or to effect the bladder muscles. With the help of medications and conscious training, the time between the visits of toilet can be gradually extended. Adjustment of drinking habits also helps.
Stress
Long-term stress
The leakage of urine is prompted by a sudden increase of pressure in the abdominal cavity, as a result of physical strain, when coughing, laughing or sneezing. The cause of these conditions is the weakened sphincter of the urinary bladder – the external contractor. The weakening is usually a result of severe labour, multiple vaginal births or a long and strenuous physical work. Formation of stress incontinence can also be affected by chronical constipation, chronical cough during pregnancy or congenital inferiority of the connective tissue.
Treatment: It has to start with examination by an urologist or a uro-gynaecologist, who will establish the exact diagnose. Only then can a targeted treatment begin. Most of these problems can be treated conservatively, that is, without a need of operation. The conservative therapy is a physiotherapy focused on improving the functions of the pelvic floor muscles, which also include the external sphincter of the urethra. Only after all the resources of conservative treatment had been explored, the specialist will recommend an operation.
Mixed
Mixed incontinence is a combination of the two above types.
Is incontinence age-related?
The uncontrolled urine leak is related yet to another problem – the lack of female sex hormones – oestrogen during and post menopause. The menopause is accompanied by hot flashes, mental tension, as well as by organ and metabolic changes, including the vaginal atrophy. This means that the vaginal mucosa is gradually growing thinner and dryer. Its immunity is weakened; infections easily root and develop on the mucosa. If this infection is not appropriately treated, the unpleasant symptoms arrive soon. The woman feels itching of her genitals; sexual intercourse is usually accompanied by pain in lower abdomen; there can be burning pain while urinating, which might even develop into enuresis.
Treatment: Hormonal and non-hormonal remedies act favourably in restoration of the vaginal mucosa and the mucosa of its immediate neighbours (urinal bladder and urethra). To certain extent, they also improve the nutrition and the state of the muscles; the result of their positive effect is the improved ability to control urination.
How to prevent the problems
For these purposes, OG Group Medi¬cal Centre in Prague uses the modern technology named Myo¬feedback; with its help, the woman can learn to perceive and control this important part of her body. “Incontinence is a problem that women don’t like confiding about very much,” claims Dr. Elena Figuro¬vá, the foundress and chief doctress of OG Group Medical Centre. “This is unfortunate, as we know that problems of around 60% patients, suffering mostly from the stress type of incontinence, can be treated with this device; moreover, if the remaining 40% are operated on, the result of the operation is better and longer-lasting.”
What causes muscle-weakening (risk factors):
pregnancy
birth of exceptionally large baby, forceps-assisted delivery, artificially accelerated or, reversely, considerably prolonged second stage of labour without appropriate prenatal and postnatal training
age-related lowered level of oestrogens
inappropriate physical activities, burdening the pelvic floor excessively and on a long-term (sportswomen)
chronic cough, chronic constipation
surgeries
exposure of the pelvic area to radiation
congenital inferiority of connective tissue, especially when combined with one of the above factors
Facts
Examination and treatment is resolved within 8 visits
It is also very advisable in cases where no symptoms have yet developed, but some risk factor is present. The price is 4,900 CZK. If you suffer from this problem, do not hesitate and visit the specialists!