Incontinence is the condition where the bladder loses control to hold or release urine in the right way. This condition leads to embarrassing situations like leaking urine while coughing or sneezing.
This condition creates a sudden and strong urge to urinate and you feel like you won’t reach the toilet in time. As people get older they lose bladder control and experience leaks of urine which is a natural part of aging.
Male Incontinence
Incontinence is a common issue faced by some men that cause stress, and embarrassment resulting in social isolation. While it could be associated with aging sometimes it is a symptom referring to an underlying disease or health condition.
Types Of Male Incontinence
- Stress Incontinence: As the pelvic floor muscles weaken it results in urine leakage during activities like sneezing, coughing, or lifting any heavy objects.
- Overflow Incontinence: It happens when the bladder is not emptied causing a frequent urge to urinate. This condition is usually related to nerve damage.
- Urge Incontinence: This condition is the result of an overactive bladder that creates a strong and sudden urge to urinate before even reaching the bathroom.
- Functional Incontinence: It is related to the physical challenges that make it difficult for a person to reach the toilet in time to urinate.
- Mixed Incontinence: It is a combination of stress and urge incontinence referred to as mixed incontinence.
- Transient Incontinence: It is temporary incontinence that results from urinary infections or medications.
Causes Of Male Incontinence
- Prostate Issues: Conditions like an enlarged prostate and prostate cancer could obstruct the urethra leading to difficulty in emptying the urinary bladder. Moreover, the treatments associated with prostate cancer could damage the nerves and muscles around the bladder and urethra causing incontinence.
- Weakening of Pelvic Muscles: Pelvic muscle weakening is mostly related to aging and as a result of this dysfunction it is difficult to prevent urine leakage during activities like coughing and sneezing.
- Neurological Conditions: Certain conditions like Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease, and spinal cord injuries often lead to various types of incontinence. In Multiple Sclerosis, the nerves are damaged affecting the performance of the bladder. The neurological changes associated with Parkinson’s Disease disrupt the brain’s communication with the bladder. Any damage to the spinal cord interferes with signals between the brain and bladder causing incontinence.
- Medications: Certain medications that are used to treat high blood pressure and prostate problems could potentially affect the bladder and result in its dysfunction.
- Urinary Tract Infections: This infection results in irritation in the bladder creating a strong sudden urge to urinate. Generally, these infections are temporary and subside with the right treatment and medication.
- Bladder Stones: The hard minerals that are deposited in the bladder irritate and obstruct its function. It results in urinary urgency and frequency.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can damage the nerves in the body including the ones related to bladder control. As a result of this, the ability of the bladder to perform effectively is affected.
- Obesity: Excessive body weight puts pressure on the bladder and the structures surrounding it. This leads to the leakage of urine unintentionally.
- Surgery: Surgical procedures in the pelvic region could damage the nerves and compromise effective functioning leading to incontinence.
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How To Treat It Effectively?
- Seek medical help: Consulting a healthcare professional is crucial for the right diagnosis and treatment for male incontinence.
- Pelvic Floor Exercises: For certain types of incontinence pelvic floor exercises can strengthen the muscles and regulate urine flow.
- Medications: Certain types of incontinence could be effectively cured with the right medications. It is advised to consult a healthcare professional before starting any medications for incontinence.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Ceratin lifestyle changes like maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding caffeine and alcohol could help to manage and reduce incontinence symptoms.
- Surgical Interventions: In severe cases of incontinence certain surgical procedures are recommended to lift the bladder and implant certain devices to manage it.
Overview
Male incontinence is a common and curable condition and it significantly impacts an individual’s quality of life. Various underlying causes, neurological conditions, and medications might contribute to incontinence.
The right medical evaluation, treatment, and certain lifestyle changes could help to effectively treat this condition. Healthcare professionals are highly trained to deal with such conditions in a positive manner so one should not hesitate to seek help.
