Do not ignore if you cannot control your urinary bladder, stress doctors

Dr Meera Ragavan, Consultant Gynaecology and Uro-Gynaecology (Robotics and Laparoscopy) at Gleneagles Global Hospital, said that the reason for this silent epidemic is the rising pandemic nature of this problem, “Incontinence is an issue that must be taken seriously, hence the theme for this year’s World Incontinence Week (which began on Monday) is ‘Incontinence: No Laughing Matter’.”

Ragavan also added that what makes talking about it more relevant is the rising pandemic nature of this problem, a silent epidemic not attended with so much seriousness, “While on an average, one in three women is likely to report involuntary leakage of urine beyond the age of 45 years, the problem is not unique to women. However, in men, it affects them only after surgeries or radio therapy. In women, however, it can be a part of aging due to the hormonal changes which influence the reproductive organs.”

Stating that they had conducted a study on healthy women, with no complaints, she said that nearly 45 per cent of them reported incontinence. “It is a significant number. We as practitioners see only the tip of the ice berg. This could be due to various reasons including women not coming forward thinking that this could be a part of aging. 

Other factors responsible for the same is the lack of awareness on who exactly to approach,” she added.

Though it affects men and women of all age groups alike, women are more prone to incontinence due to physiologically changes happening throughout their life time. “The incidence increases with advancing age and almost 75 per cent beyond the age of 70 years report the same problems. However, urinary incontinence is more often empirically treated as a Urinary Tract Infection and women are injudiciously prescribed antibiotics. 

Though incontinence and urgency and frequency of urination could be a symptom of infection, all such patients are not suffering from UTI,” said a senior Uro-Gynaecologist. It may therefore be important for the public to be aware of the symptoms and ensure they approach a doctor immediately, she added. While a woman may be affected by a condition called over active bladder which increases the frequency and urgency to pass urine, besides urine leakage, with no pain or burning sensation. 

“Such patients will benefit a lot by weight optimisation, avoiding beverages containing caffeine, bladder retraining by voiding it every three to four hours and avoiding sugary foods, and most importantly, quitting smoking. However, symptoms which do not get better after these life style modifications or if associated with blood in urine, will require immediate attention,” stressed Dr Meera, adding that it is important for those suffering from it to approach the right doctor.

The disease affects not just women but men as well 

• An over active bladder 
• Increase in the frequency of passing urine
• Urine leakage.