Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is defined as any involuntary or undesired leakage of urine.
It is a relatively common medical problem that can affect both men and women. Although the risk of developing incontinence increases with age, it can also occur in younger individuals. Women are more likely than men to experience this condition.
Symptoms
The symptoms of urinary incontinence vary depending on the type and severity. The main types of urinary incontinence include:
- Stress urinary incontinence: leakage of urine when coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising, or lifting heavy objects. These activities increase pressure on the bladder, exceeding the ability of the urethra or urinary sphincter to retain urine.
- Urge urinary incontinence: a sudden, intense need to urinate followed by involuntary urine loss. This occurs when the bladder muscle contracts involuntarily, causing urination at inappropriate times.
- Mixed urinary incontinence: a combination of stress and urge symptoms. Individuals experience both leakages associated with increased abdominal pressure and urgency-related episodes.
Diagnosis
To diagnose urinary incontinence, the doctor will perform a comprehensive evaluation that may include:
- Detailed medical history: questions about the frequency and circumstances of urine loss, dietary and fluid intake habits, medical history, and previous surgeries.
- Physical examination: assessment of the genitals and abdomen to identify possible physical causes.
- Additional tests: depending on initial findings, urine tests, urodynamic studies, or ultrasounds may be performed to evaluate bladder and urethral function.
Treatment
Treatment options for urinary incontinence depend on the type and severity of the condition, as well as its impact on the patient’s quality of life. Therapeutic strategies include:
Self-care measures:
- Lifestyle modifications: adjustments in fluid intake, reduction of caffeine and alcohol consumption, and weight management.
- Bladder training: establishing regular voiding schedules and techniques to delay urination, aimed at increasing bladder capacity and reducing urgency.
- Pelvic floor physiotherapy and exercises: strengthening the pelvic floor muscles with specific exercises (Kegel exercises) to improve urinary control.
Cadira ACTIVE HIFEM
- The ACTIVE HIFEM chair uses high-intensity electromagnetic energy to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. It is a non-invasive, painless and comfortable solution to treat urinary incontinence, improve the quality of intimate life and address other pelvic pathologies in homes and gifts.
- Each session lasts about 28 minutes, as the ACTIVE unit generates the equivalent of 11.000 muscle contractions, like Kegel exercises. It requires at least 8 sessions to achieve optimal results according to illness and severity. It does not require surgery, recovery or downtime: the patient can return to daily activities immediately.
Benefits of treatment:
- Strengthens the pelvic floor and improves its function.
- Reduces urinary incontinence by up to 75%.
- Improves sexual quality of life (anorgasmia in women and erectile dysfunction in men).
- Treats chronic pelvic pain.
- Quick and effective procedure, with a 95% patient satisfaction rate.
It can be applied in the following situations:
- Women after childbirth or during menopause.
- Patients with vaginal hyperlaxity.
- People with incontinence / pelvic pain seeking to improve their quality of life and well-being.
Patients usually notice results after the second session, which improve over time. A monthly/biweekly maintenance session is recommended to maintain the muscular tone of the pelvic floor.
Tractament farmacològic:
- Muscarinic receptor antagonists: medications that help control urge incontinence by relaxing the bladder wall muscle and reducing involuntary contractions.
- Mirabegron: a drug that relaxes the bladder muscle, increasing capacity and reducing urinary frequency.
- Local estrogens: in postmenopausal women, topical estrogen therapy may improve urethral function and reduce incontinence symptoms.
Intervencions quirúrgiques:
- Midurethral sling placement: a procedure in which a mesh is placed under the urethra to provide support and prevent leakage during activities that increase abdominal pressure.
- Botulinum toxin injections: injections into the bladder wall to reduce muscle activity and control urge incontinence.
- Nerve stimulation: therapies that modulate nerve activity to improve bladder control, such as tibial or sacral nerve stimulation.
It is important to discuss treatment options with a healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate approach based on individual needs and circumstances.
