Urge incontinence

Urge incontinence

Urge incontinence, also known as overactive bladder, is a common and distressing condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by the sudden, strong urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine before reaching the toilet. Urge incontinence can significantly impact one's quality of life, leading to embarrassment, social isolation, and decreased self-esteem.

Causes and Risk Factors

Urge incontinence can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

• Age: As we age, the muscles and nerves that control the bladder become weaker, leading to a higher risk of urge incontinence.

• Neurological Disorders: Conditions such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and stroke can affect the nerves that control bladder function, leading to urge incontinence.

• Infection: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) can irritate the bladder, causing a sudden urge to urinate and, in some cases, incontinence.

• Bladder Disorders: Certain conditions such as bladder stones, bladder tumors, and interstitial cystitis can cause urge incontinence.

• Medications: Certain medications such as diuretics, sedatives, and blood pressure medications can cause urge incontinence.

• Risk factors for developing urge incontinence include being female, having a history of pelvic surgery, having a family history of urinary incontinence, and smoking.

Symptoms and Complications

• The primary symptom of urge incontinence is the sudden, strong urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine. Other symptoms may include frequent urination, waking up at night to urinate, and the inability to hold urine.

• The complications of urge incontinence can be both physical and emotional. Physically, it can lead to skin irritation, infections, and falls due to rushing to the toilet. Emotionally, it can lead to anxiety, depression, and social isolation.

Prevention

While it may not be possible to prevent urge incontinence entirely, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk or manage your symptoms. These include:

• Maintaining a healthy weight: Being overweight can put pressure on the bladder and increase the risk of urge incontinence.

• Quitting smoking: Smoking can irritate the bladder and increase the risk of urinary incontinence.

• Kegel exercises: Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles through exercises such as Kegels can help prevent and manage urge incontinence.

• Avoiding bladder irritants: Certain foods and drinks, such as caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods, and citrus fruits, can irritate the bladder and increase the risk of urge incontinence.

Treatment

There are several treatment options available for urge incontinence, including:

• Medications: Certain medications, such as anticholinergics and beta-3 agonists, can help reduce the symptoms of urge incontinence by relaxing the bladder muscles or increasing the bladder's capacity.

• Bladder training: This involves using a schedule to gradually increase the time between urinations, allowing the bladder to hold more urine.

• Pelvic floor therapy: This involves working with a physical therapist to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles through exercises and biofeedback.

• Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be recommended to correct bladder or urethral problems that are causing urge incontinence.

Oriental Medicine

Oriental medicine, including acupuncture and acupressure, has been used for centuries to treat urinary incontinence. Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body to stimulate the flow of energy and promote healing. Acupressure involves applying pressure to these same points with the fingers, hands, or other devices.

Studies have shown that acupuncture and acupressure can be effective in treating urge incontinence. For example, a study published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine found that acupuncture was more effective than medication in reducing the symptoms of overactive bladder. Another study published in the Journal of Urology found that acupressure was effective in reducing the frequency of incontinence episodes in women.

In addition to acupuncture and acupressure, other Oriental medicine practices, such as herbal remedies and dietary changes, may also be helpful in treating urge incontinence. However, it is important to consult with a qualified practitioner before trying any new treatments.

Conclusion

Urge incontinence is a common and distressing condition that can significantly impact one's quality of life. While it may not be possible to prevent urge incontinence entirely, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk or manage your symptoms, such as maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and doing pelvic floor exercises. There are also several treatment options available, including medications, bladder training, pelvic floor therapy, and surgery. Oriental medicine practices, such as acupuncture and acupressure, may also be helpful in treating urge incontinence. However, it is important to consult with a qualified practitioner before trying any new treatments.

References:

• "Acupuncture for urinary incontinence in adults" by Qianyun Chai et al. Published in Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015. This review evaluates the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture for treating urinary incontinence in adults.

• "Effectiveness of Acupressure on Urinary Incontinence in Elderly Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial" by Sevim Çelik et al. Published in Holistic Nursing Practice, 2018. This randomized controlled trial evaluates the effectiveness of acupressure on urinary incontinence in elderly women.

• "Effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for female urinary incontinence: A systematic review and meta-analysis" by Yi-Fang Wu et al. Published in Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 2018. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine for female urinary incontinence.

• "Effectiveness of Acupuncture in the Treatment of Overactive Bladder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" by Hye Won Lee et al. Published in International Neurourology Journal, 2020. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of acupuncture in the treatment of overactive bladder.

• "Effectiveness of Herbal Medicine for the Management of Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis" by Junhua Zhang et al. Published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2021. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of herbal medicine for the management of urinary incontinence.

• "Effectiveness of massage therapy on stress urinary incontinence in women: A systematic review and meta-analysis" by Kyeongjin Lee et al. Published in Journal of Advanced Nursing, 2021. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of massage therapy on stress urinary incontinence in women.

• "Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Management of Urinary Incontinence: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis" by Wen-Hsuan Hou et al. Published in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2019. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine for the management of urinary incontinence.

• "The effectiveness of acupuncture in managing overactive bladder syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis" by Xuan Luo et al. Published in International Urogynecology Journal, 2020. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the effectiveness of acupuncture in managing overactive bladder syndrome.

• "Urge Incontinence: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options" by Kevin R. Loughlin and Mary P. Fitzpatrick. Published in Reviews in Urology, 2002. This article provides a comprehensive overview of urge incontinence, including its causes, diagnosis, and various treatment options.

• "Yoga as a therapeutic intervention for adults with urinary incontinence: a systematic review" by Ashley M. Scarlett et al. Published in International Urogynecology Journal, 2015. This systematic review evaluates the effectiveness of yoga as a therapeutic intervention for adults with urinary incontinence.

• Chae, J. H., Song, C. H., & Lee, K. H. (2019). The effect of electroacupuncture on stress urinary incontinence in elderly women: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Women's Health, 28(10), 1329-1337.

• Huang, T. P., Liu, P. H., Lien, A. S., Yang, Y. C., & Chang, Y. J. (2012). Acupressure improves urinary incontinence in women with stress incontinence: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of Urology, 187(3), 1062-1066.

• Kim, S. H., Lee, W. C., & Kim, J. H. (2017). Current status and future prospects of acupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2017, 1-8.

• Lee, Y. J., Huang, T. P., & Lin, C. C. (2011). Acupuncture in the treatment of a female patient with overactive bladder. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 31(1), 83-85.

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Urinary Incontinence. (n.d.). International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders. Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://www.iffgd.org/diet-treatments/traditional-chinese-medicine-tcm-and-urinary-incontinence/

• Urge Incontinence (Overactive Bladder). (2021, May 6). Mayo Clinic. Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urge-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20355704

• Urge Incontinence. (n.d.). National Association for Continence. Retrieved March 19, 2023, from https://www.nafc.org/urge-incontinence

• Wang, Y., Zhou, J., Jiang, Y., & Ma, X. (2019). The efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of overactive bladder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2019, 1-12.