Bladder leakage, or urinary incontinence, is a common occurrence for many women. In fact, up to 45 percent of women in the United States suffer from this condition. There are many reasons for the condition as well as several different types of incontinence that you should be aware of.
Typical Causes of Bladder Leakage
This condition can be caused by a number of factors some of which are under your control and others that aren’t. Your diet does play a role. If you’re having issues with incontinence you should avoid the following types of foods:
- Spicy foods
- Artificial sweeteners
- Caffeine
- Acidic foods
- Alcohol
In addition, there are other risk factors that have to deal with your lifestyle. These include smoking and being overweight.
Of course, there are some risk factors that are out of your control and have more to do with life events. Pregnancy and childbirth can both lead to bladder leakage. Also, if you have had a hysterectomy you may notice more issues in this area. Finally, as a women ages, she will find that she has less bladder control as well.
While life events and your lifestyle play a part when it comes to incontinence, certain medications, as well as chronic diseases, can also cause the issue. Some common medications that can be problematic include:
- Sedatives
- Diuretics
- Muscle relaxers
- Cardiovascular medications
Diseases can play a part as well. From diabetes to kidney stones, and even Parkinson’s diseases, your overall health can have an impact on your ability to hold your bladder.
Finally, if, at a younger age, you found that you had minor leakage from time to time, you may notice that as you age and get closer to menopause the condition gets worse. This is due to the reduction of estrogen in your body.
Types of Female Incontinence
There are several types of female incontinence, but the two most common types are stress incontinence and urge incontinence. Stress incontinence happens when a woman sneezes or coughs or even during exercise.
Urge incontinence happens when the nerves associated with your bladder’s muscles tissues fire when they shouldn’t. This causes a sudden urge or need to go. The leakage occurs if you can’t get to a restroom quickly enough.
There are many different types of treatments for bladder leakage. From changes in diet and medication to losing weight or stopping smoking, and even Kegel exercises you can get this situation under control. In the most serious situations, there are surgical options available as well.
If you suffer from female incontinence, just know that you have options to not only deal with the issue but treat it as well. Don’t just ignore the situation, find the help you need today and live your life to its fullest.
Source
http://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/tc/urinary-incontinence-in-women-topic-overview#1
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/healthy_aging/healthy_body/solutions-for-a-leaky-bladder
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/in-depth/bladder-control-problems/art-20044228
