Urinary incontinence


How to recover from urinary incontinence after natural childbirth
Vaginal delivery refers to childbirth through the vagina, and while it has many benefits, it also has certain drawbacks. The biggest disadvantage is that it can cause damage to a woman's pelvic floor, leading to conditions such as uterine prolapse and bladder prolapse, which manifest as urinary leakage or incontinence. If urinary incontinence occurs after vaginal delivery, it can be addressed through the following methods: First, one can perform Kegel exercises at home. Kegel exercises are a set of movements that contract the muscles of the pelvic floor, which can help alleviate urinary incontinence, though the effect may be weak. Second, for patients with significant urinary leakage or incontinence, it is recommended to seek hospital treatment with machine-assisted therapy, primarily using electrical stimulation of the pelvic floor muscles to promote contraction and improve symptoms of incontinence. Third, if the above methods are ineffective, an evaluation of pelvic floor function should be conducted, and if necessary, pelvic floor repair surgery should be performed.


Should I wear diapers for urinary incontinence?
Whether patients with urinary incontinence need to use diapers should be determined based on the severity of the incontinence. If it is only mild incontinence that does not affect normal work and life, it is not necessary to wear diapers. Regular urination schedules, along with exercises like pelvic lift and pelvic floor muscle training, can alleviate the condition. However, if the incontinence is more pronounced, it is best to initially use diapers to prevent excessive urine leakage. If necessary, a urinary catheter can be used temporarily to drain the urine and prevent leakage. At the same time, it is important to actively undergo relevant examinations to determine the cause of the incontinence and carry out targeted treatment.


Is urinary incontinence related to anything?
There are many causes of urinary incontinence. For example, the most common type, stress urinary incontinence, is related to the relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles and the bladder's detrusor muscle. Conditions like pelvic organ prolapse, as well as factors like being a mature mother or excessive obesity, can lead to stress urinary incontinence. Urgency urinary incontinence is often caused by severe bladder inflammation or associated with certain chronic diseases, such as diabetes or bladder neck sclerosis. Overflow incontinence, most commonly seen in elderly males, typically results from prostate enlargement that blocks the urethra, leading to urinary retention and consequently overflow incontinence. Therefore, to understand the specific causes of urinary incontinence, it is crucial first to differentiate the types of incontinence and combine this with the patient’s specific situation and related examinations for a clear diagnosis.


What medicine to take for fecal incontinence?
There are many causes of fecal incontinence, and it is first necessary to further clarify the cause. Most cases of fecal incontinence are mainly due to excessive relaxation of the local anal sphincter or damage to the patient's nervous system, thus requiring oral medication to treat the nervous system. When there is relaxation of the local anal sphincter, simply taking oral medication does not have significant local therapeutic effects. The most effective method is to directly perform a sphincter tightening surgery. After the local sphincter is tightened surgically, it can control the excretion of feces, thereby further alleviating the situation of fecal incontinence. If the patient also has a neurological disorder, it is necessary to actively treat the underlying disease. (The use of medications should be done under the guidance of a doctor.)


Can you sit for a long time with postpartum urinary incontinence?
When postpartum urinary incontinence occurs, it is not advisable for the mother to sit for extended periods. This is because urinary incontinence in women is primarily due to pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Sitting for long periods is detrimental to the recovery of pelvic floor muscle function. It is recommended that women pay attention to rest, avoid prolonged walking or standing, and also avoid sitting for long periods. Rest is important, as is ensuring adequate sleep and enhancing nutrition by consuming foods rich in protein and vitamins. It is advised to seek early pelvic floor rehabilitation training at a hospital and to adhere to the rehabilitation exercises. Generally, good recovery can be achieved within six months.


Can elderly people with prostate enlargement experience urinary incontinence?
In the advanced stages of lower urinary tract obstructive diseases caused by prostate enlargement, overflow urinary incontinence can occur. After chronic urinary retention caused by prostate enlargement, if the bladder is extremely full, the pressure inside the bladder can exceed the resistance of the normal urethral sphincter, allowing urine to overflow through the urethra. Additionally, pressure incontinence can also be caused by damage to the external urethral sphincter or to the perineal and urethral areas following prostate surgery due to prostate enlargement.


Can you wear diapers for urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence generally requires the use of diapers, as the condition is primarily caused by various pathological changes, leading to the involuntary discharge of urine from the urethra. Due to the easy infiltration of the perineum and around the urethral opening by urine, there might be occurrences of eczema or perineal infections. Wearing diapers can timely absorb the leaked urine, thereby reducing the chances of developing eczema and perineal infections. It is also necessary to actively seek the underlying cause of urinary incontinence and treat it accordingly. Common types of urinary incontinence include persistent, stress-related, overflow, and urge incontinence. By conducting thorough examinations, the specific type of urinary incontinence can be identified, followed by targeted treatment.


Is urinary incontinence due to kidney deficiency?
Generally, urinary incontinence is also considered a symptom of kidney deficiency, and kidney deficiency can also lead to urinary incontinence. Actually, these are two symptoms but both can potentially lead to the disease, so it is important to pay close attention. If urinary incontinence occurs, it is essential to get timely treatment. One should visit a reputable hospital and undergo effective treatment under the guidance of a doctor to avoid impacting daily life. It is also important to maintain personal hygiene, wash frequently, and change clothes regularly to effectively prevent the worsening of the condition. In terms of diet, it is necessary to avoid eating cold, raw foods or fruits to prevent exacerbating the condition.


Can I eat mutton for postpartum urinary incontinence?
In cases of postpartum urinary incontinence, it is acceptable for new mothers to consume lamb in moderation. Lamb is highly nutritious, rich in protein, as well as vitamins and minerals. It can enhance the physical immunity of postpartum women and is also helpful in improving postpartum urinary incontinence. When urinary incontinence occurs, it is necessary to first visit a hospital for an examination to assess the severity of the condition and to choose an appropriate treatment method. Generally, mild urinary incontinence can be improved over time with proper care and can return to normal. However, severe urinary incontinence may require surgical treatment. It is important to rest, strengthen nutrition, and ensure adequate sleep.


What should I do if spina bifida causes fecal incontinence?
Patients with spina bifida who experience fecal incontinence are in a relatively severe condition. In such cases, it is best to actively pursue surgical treatment to prevent further progression of the condition. This includes suturing the dura mater of the corresponding spinal defect, repositioning the spinal cord, and appropriately repairing the bone structure, all of which are very important. Additionally, it may be possible to partially restore bowel function, but complete recovery is not guaranteed. If there is no significant improvement later on, a colostomy might be considered. This involves creating an opening in the abdominal wall, forming a stoma, and using an artificial method for bowel movement. This can help reduce contamination and restore some bowel function.