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Does excess weight cause urinary incontinence?

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is defined as an involuntary leakage of urine condition that leads to hygienic and social problems in daily life and reduces the quality of life of patients. Although urinary incontinence is not a life-threatening disease; constant wetness and irritation caused by this condition can lead to emotional problems up to depression. This situation negatively affects the daily activities, work lives and sexual lives of patients. Patients generally avoid activities and fluid intake in such situations.

Who is at risk for urinary incontinence?

Although the rates increase with age in both women and men, urinary incontinence is observed at a rate of 6-20 percent in women between the ages of 20-49 and 20-40 percent in those over 50 years of age. For men, this rate is around 17 percent. Concomitant systemic and neurological diseases such as advanced age, obesity, diabetes, urinary tract infections, history of multiple and difficult births by normal vaginal route, genetic predisposition, overweight, estrogen deficiency or external exposure to hormones, radiotherapy and tobacco; these are among the most common risk factors in women. In addition to these, prostate diseases and surgeries are among the risk factors that cause urinary incontinence in men.

Does excess weight cause urinary incontinence?

As a result of excess weight gain, intra-abdominal pressure increases. Pressure occurs in the urinary bladder with the increase in pressure. The muscles lose their function and cause urine leakage. Most people who experience urinary incontinence show sign of overweight problem. It is observed that these problems end when excess weight is lost. The most important stage for treating urinary incontinence is understanding the correct causes. The way to achieve this is to get a detailed history of the disease by an experienced doctor and again undergo a detailed physical examination. Afterwards, before proceeding to the treatment phase, the causes of the problem can be determined by performing the necessary laboratory examinations and appropriate treatment can be given.

What should be considered during the treatment phase?

There are some methods that should be paid attention when starting treatment. These methods are:

Lifestyle changes;

At least 2.5 liters of water should be consumed daily
Consumption of caffeinated, acidic drinks and alcohol should be reduced
The intake of spicy foods and artificial sweeteners should be reduced
Weight should be lost
Permanent constipation should not be experienced,, for this purpose it is necessary to eat plenty of fibrous foods
Smoking should be stopped
Bladder exercises treatments
Pelvic floor muscle exercises
Drug Therapy
Biofeedback Therapy
Nerve stimulation treatments
BOTOX applications to the bladder muscle
Surgical treatments