what is incontinence?

The technical term "incontinence" goes back to the Latin word "Continentia", which means something like "restraint" or " self-control ". People who suffer from incontinence cannot reliably hold their urine or, more rarely, their stool. Possible causes are, for example, a weak pelvic floor, an operation or a neurological disease. In Germany, more than six million people are said to be affected. Since incontinence is a taboo subject for many, the number of unreported cases is likely to be high.  technologywebdesign

Forms of incontinence: urine or stool?

Depending on the type of incontinence, the person affected will have different symptoms. With "urinary incontinence" urine is lost uncontrollably, with "fecal incontinence" stool. Those affected are often embarrassed by these symptoms, which is why many do not go to the doctor with them. He could help you with this: There are effective therapies for both urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence .  futuretechexpert

Urinary incontinence

If urine is lost in an uncontrolled manner, it is called “urinary incontinence” or “bladder weakness”. Doctors differentiate between different forms of urinary incontinence, and the bladder is not always the cause:

• Urge incontinence: This form of incontinence, which can be equated with an "overactive bladder" , is characterized by a strong and sudden urge to urinate - although the bladder is not yet full. The urge is common and so strong and quick for those affected that they sometimes cannot make it to a toilet. Mostly men are affected.
• Stress incontinence: Sufferers inadvertently lose urine when they cough, sneeze, laugh, press or lift something heavy. This increases the pressure in the abdomens and also reaches the bladder. If their sphincter muscle is not strong enough, urine empties - with some people only in the form of a few drops, with others more strongly. Doctors differentiate between three degrees of stress incontinence, which was formerly known as stress incontinence . With third-degree incontinence, patients lose urine even when lying down. Those affected do not feel the urge to urinate before the urine passes.
• Reflex incontinence: Sufferers do not feel when their bladder is full. This causes the bladder to empty itself. The cause is a nerve disorder.
• Overflow incontinence: This advanced form of urinary incontinence is characterized by a constant need to urinate. Affected people lose urine permanently. Your bladder literally overflows because it can no longer empty properly - for example due to an enlarged prostate.
• Extraurethral incontinence: Sufferers cannot avoid losing urine permanently. The cause of this form of incontinence is not to be found in the urinary tract, but rather outside, “extraurethral”. For example, a fistula could have created a connection between the bladder and vagina so that urine is permanently lost through it.  techbizcenter
• Nocturnal wetting (enuresis): This mainly affects children. Up until around the age of four it is normal for children to wet themselves at night, and only then is it called enuresis.
• Mixed forms: Symptoms of different types of urinary incontinence sometimes occur.

Fecal incontinence

When people can no longer control the passage of stool, doctors call it anorectal incontinence. In Germany, up to five million people are said to be affected, women four times more often than men. The causes are as different as urinary incontinence, but faecal incontinence is less common. Depending on the severity - doctors differentiate between three - stool incontinence only results in uncontrolled escape of intestinal gases and frequent soiling of the laundry up to completely uncontrolled defecation.

Incontinence: The Causes

The causes of incontinence are different. While incontinence in women is often related to weak pelvic floor muscles, in men an enlarged prostate sometimes plays a role.

The causes of urinary incontinence

Depending on the type of urinary incontinence, there are different causes:

• Urge incontinence: The bladder muscle is over- sensitive and reacts to even small amounts of the bladder. Neurological diseases such as Parkinson 's disease , multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's can be the cause. Urge incontinence can also be the result of a stroke.
• Stress incontinence: The cause is a weak bladder sphincter that cannot withstand the pressure in the abdomen during exercise or when coughing. This pelvic floor weakness often occurs as a result of pregnancy. Women often only notice symptoms during the menopause: The hormonal change weakens the tissue and it loses its elasticity.  lifebloombeauty
• Reflex incontinence: The nerves that control bladder emptying do not work properly. This can be the result of a stroke or a neurological disease such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's. Paraplegia can also be the reason for this form of incontinence.
• Overflow incontinence: Men in particular suffer from this form of incontinence - for example because their prostate is enlarged and the bladder can no longer empty itself as easily. Sometimes a nerve disorder is also the cause of incontinence.
• Extraurethral incontinence: Physical changes such as a fistula cause urine to drain.
• Nocturnal wetting (enuresis): Usually a development delay is the cause. However, physical restrictions such as malformed urinary tract can also be the reason.

The causes of fecal incontinence

Fecal incontinence occurs when those affected can no longer control the sphincter muscle. This can be due to advanced age - because then the muscle mass in the anal area also decreases and pelvic floor weakness occurs - but it can also be the result of injuries : for example from an operation or after giving birth. Tumors or intestinal inflammation are also possible causes . Sometimes diabetics suffer from fecal incontinence when they have lost nerve sensation.

Other causes of fecal incontinence can be:

• constipation
• very overweight
• Diarrheal diseases
• Medicines such as antidepressants, laxatives, anti-Parkinson drugs
• neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Alzheimer's
• hemorrhoids  techsmartinfo
• Rectum or rectum prolapse

Incontinence: The Right Therapy

Incontinence can be treated and often cured. Depending on the form, drugs or surgical options are possible. But those affected can also do a lot themselves to regain control of their sphincter muscles. Treatment for women often consists of regular pelvic floor exercises. If an operation is necessary, there are many options today.

Urinary Incontinence: The Right Therapy

Urinary incontinence is easy to treat and sometimes curable. The following therapies can help those affected:

• Pelvic floor training: Targeted, regular strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles, preferably under the guidance of a physiotherapist, has been shown to improve symptoms. There are also exercises for men that can help them after prostate surgery, for example.
• Medicines: There are medicines that improve the urethral closing function, for example.
• Surgery: Surgeons can place a band under the urethra in both men and women. For men, balloons can also be used to seal the urethra. Sometimes doctors need to use an artificial sphincter. If there is extraurethral urinary incontinence, it always requires an operation.

Other methods designed to help patients with urinary incontinence include:

• Bladder training: Sufferers keep records of their toilet visits and try to exercise their bladder.
• Botox injections: They can help with some neurological causes.
• Electrical stimulation: strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles through electrical impulses.
• Biofeedback procedure: Patients learn to tense the right muscles.
• Hormone therapy: If estrogen deficiency is the reason for incontinence during menopause, a local hormone preparation can help.
• Magnetic stimulation: Pulsating magnetic fields activate the sphincter muscles.
• Vaginal cones: In women, vaginally inserted cones can help to train the pelvic floor muscles.

Patients can also do a lot themselves to improve symptoms of incontinence, for example by:

• Weight reduction: being overweight puts additional strain on the pelvic floor.
• Less caffeine consumption: People with an overactive bladder should not drink more than two cups of coffee a day, as caffeine irritates the lining of the bladder.
• a healthy diet: it prevents constipation and help maintain a normal weight.