Written By: Renusree C. | Edited by Shelomith H
What is it?
Urinary Incontinence, also known as the loss of bladder control, is a condition which results in frequent urination that is unexpected. This condition can result from many causes, with the most common being pregnancy, old age, overweight, and alcohol consumption.
How common is it?
Urinary Incontinence affects about 30% of women worldwide, mostly from age 40 onwards. This condition is less likely to appear in men as it is only seen in 2-5% of their population.
How does urinary incontinence occur ?
In pregnant women, their growing fetus consistently pushes down on their pelvic floor muscle. This causes a lot of pressure in that area, loosening the muscle. As a result, the woman has a weakened pelvic floor muscle, leading to unexpected urination at unanticipated times during pregnancy and after childbirth. A simple sneeze or cough can cause their urine to leak.
Overweight women also tend to have higher rates of urinary incontinence. As more mass is added onto the body, this extra weight leads to higher abdominal pressure. When this occurs, the organ right below the urethra, or the tube through which urine leaves the body, is pressured, resulting in weakness. When the urethra is no longer intact, , it is very likely that the urine will leak out, leading to urinary incontinence.
Although alcohol itself doesn’t cause urinary incontinence, it can amplify the effects for those already dealing with this condition. Once alcohol is absorbed into the bloodstream, it causes the brain to suppress the release of chemicals called vasopressin, which is a pituitary hormone that promotes water retention in the kidneys. When it is not produced in adequate quantities, frequent urination and dehydration can occur.
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