Urinary incontinence

Even though we live in a world with a generation of people that are more open and outspoken than ever there with more and more issues being spoken about everyday compared to previous decades there are still a number of topics that tend to fall in the taboo category.

Unfortunately many health issues seem to still have a taboo tag. Embarrassment, worry and a belief that it is unseemly to talk about certain issues prevents the taboo surrounding certain health issues being abolished.

One health issue that is sadly still a taboo subject and rarely spoken about is urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence is a condition that results in involuntary leakage of urine from the urethra due to a weakening of control over the urinary sphincter. Not only due suffers have to deal with leakage but they can also have to deal with odour, skin rashes and social consequences. Urinary incontinence can vary in severity and there are different types of the condition -

* Stress incontinence - urine leakage due to stress when suffers cough, sneeze, laugh, lift a heavy object or exercise vigorously

* Urge incontinence - sudden need to urinate followed by involuntary urination

* Overflow incontinence - the bladder does not empty fully which can cause a continuous dribble of urine to escape.

* Functional incontinence - individuals with mental or physical disabilities who have a hard time undoing their garments or struggle with mobility can urinate before they make it to the toilet

* Mixed incontinence - person suffers from more than one type of incontinence

Suffers of urinary incontinence often feel so distressed and embarrassed about the condition that affects their lives that some avoid seeking help from health practitioners and many shy away from discussing the condition and their experience of it with others.  

Striving to stop urinary incontinence being a taboo subject HARTMANN Direct have created a very informative and helpful post about urinary incontinence that aims to both educate people about the condition and help suffers.

The detailed post features everything you need to know about urinary incontinence including what is the urinary incontinence, signs and symptoms, information on when to seek medical advice, causes of urinary incontinence, clinical advice on how to manage/treat the condition and suggestions on how urinary incontinence could be prevented.

As urinary incontinence is a common problem for both women AND men with the NHS estimating that up to one quarter to one third of men and women across the UK experiencing some form of urinary incontinence the informative post by HARTMANN Direct is invaluable.

The guide helpfully highlights that the notion that urinary incontinence only affects the elderly and pregnant women is incorrect. It is a misconception as the condition affects a wide array of people of both genders and all ages. Whilst ageing and childbirth are common causes for persistent urinary incontinence and pregnancy being a common trigger for temporary urinary incontinence many other factors can cause either temporary or persistent incontinence. Did you know that certain medications and constipation can cause temporary urinary incontinence? Or that persistent urinary incontinence can be caused by menopause or certain neurological disorders?

Even though suffers may feel too embarrassed to seek medical help GPs will not judge you, they will help you deal with the condition. Seeking medical help is important as it could indicate a more serious underlying condition. If you are suffering from urinary incontinence seek help from your GP.

* Collaborative post *