URINARY INCONTINENCE

WHAT IS URINARY INCONTINENCE?

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. It means a person urinates when they do not want to. Control over the urinary sphincter is either lost or weakened. Urinary incontinence is a common problem that affects many people. According to the American Urological Association, one-quarter to one-third of men and women in the United States experience urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is more common among women than men. An estimated 30 percent of females aged 30-60 are thought to suffer from it, compared to 1.5-5 percent of men

Stress incontinence/Muscle Weakness

Factors include:

  • pregnancy and childbirth
  • menopause, as falling estrogen can make the muscles weaker
  • hysterectomyand some other surgical procedures
  • age
  • obesity

RISK FACTORS

Obesity: This puts extra pressure on the bladder and surrounding muscles. It weakens the muscles, making leakage more likely when the person sneezes or coughs.

Smoking: This can lead to a chronic cough, which may result in episodes of incontinence.

Old Age: The muscles in the bladder and urethra weaken with age.

Gender: Women have a higher chance of experiencing stress incontinence than men, especially if they have had children.

Some diseases and conditions: Diabetes, kidney disease, spinal cord injury,and neurologic diseases, for example, a stroke, increase the risk.

Prostate disease: Incontinence may present after prostate surgery or radiation therapy.

TYPES OF INCONTENENCE

Stress incontinence: Urine leaks out while coughing, laughing, or doing some activity, such as running or jumping.

Urge incontinence: There is a sudden and intense urge to urinate, and urine leaks at the same time or just after.

Total incontinence: The bladder can not store urine.

Overflow incontinence: The inability to empty the bladder completely can result in leaking.

Functional incontinence: Urine escapes because a person cannot reach the bathroom in time, possibly due to a mobility issue.

Mixed incontinence: A combination of types.

What Type of Incontinence Can Be Treated by EmSella?

Stress Incontinence

This is the most common kind of urinary incontinence, especially among women who have given birth or gone through menopause. In this case “stress” refers to physical pressure, rather than mental stress. When the bladder and muscles involved in urinary control are placed under sudden extra pressure, the person may urinate involuntarily.

The following actions may trigger stress incontinence:

  • coughing, sneezing, or laughing
  • heavy lifting
  • exercise

Urge Incontinence

Also known as reflex incontinence or “overactive bladder,” this is the second most common type of urinary incontinence. There is a sudden, involuntary contraction of the muscular wall of the bladder that causes an urge to urinate that cannot be stopped.

When the urge to urinate comes, the person has a very short time before the urine is released, regardless of what they try to do.

The urge to urinate may be caused by:

  • a sudden change in position
  • the sound of running water
  • sex, especially during orgasm

Bladder muscles can activate involuntarily because of damage to the nerves of the bladder, the nervous system, or to the muscles themselves.

COMPLICATIONS OF INCONTINENCE

The inability to retain urine can sometimes lead to discomfort, embarrassment, and sometimes other physical problems.

These include:

Skin problems: a person with urinary incontinence is more likely to have skin sores, rashes, and infections because the skin is wet or damp most of the time. This is bad for wound healing and also promotes fungal infections.

Urinary tract infections: long-term use of a urinary catheter significantly increases the risk of infection.

Prolapse: part of the vagina, bladder, and sometimes the urethra can fall into the entrance of the vagina. This is usually caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles.

Embarrassment can cause people to withdraw socially, and this can lead to depression. Anyone who is concerned about urinary incontinence should see a doctor, as help may be available

What Can Help With My Stress or Urge Incontinence?

As your body changes and ages, urinary incontinence can become an embarrassing and stressful issue. The inability to control urine leakage or feeling the urge to go and not knowing if you’ll make it to the bathroom in time are sensations no one should have to struggle with. Aesthetic–Facial and Body Rejuvenation is proud to offer a groundbreaking treatment to our patients—BTL EmSella®.

EMSELLA is an FDA-cleared procedure that utilizes High-Intensity FocusedElectromagnetic technology (HIFEM). As you sit in the EMSELLA chair, the high-frequency electromagnetic energy stimulates the pelvic floor muscles. The result is small, yet effective, contractions similar to those produced by Kegel exercises. After just 28 minutes in the EMSELLA chair, you’ll experience the equivalent of more than11,000 Kegels. These muscle contractions restore neuromuscular control and work to repair the weak pelvic floor, allowing you to regain bladder control.

Whether due to birth trauma or age, weak pelvic floor muscles insufficiently supporting the pelvic organs often causes urinary incontinence. This can lead to bladder control issues such as urinary stress, urge incontinence, or both. Urinary stress is when pressure is exerted on the bladder causing uncontrolled leakage—think coughing, exercising, or laughing. Urge incontinence, on the other hand, is an intense, uncomfortable, and sudden sensation to urinate, leading to constant trips to the bathroom. EMSELLA addresses both these issues caused by pelvic relaxation, thus improving your overall quality of life.

To find out if you’re a candidate for BTL EMSELLA, schedule a consult with our professionals at Aesthetic–Facial and Body Rejuvenation. We understand that your intimate health requires understanding and sensitivity. That’s why we’re happy to provide free consultations where you can ask questions and learn more about this cutting edge solution. Click here to learn more about EmSella.