Uncontrolled urination is a common condition among children, less often among adults. What is enuresis and why does it occur in adulthood? These are common questions adult men and women ask professionals. To date, the malaise lends itself to conservative therapeutic methods and is treated quite successfully.
Urinary incontinence is not an obstacle to a normal life, even if an elderly person is sick.
What is this disease - enuresis?
Enuresis is characterized by the involuntary passage of urine (urine) and occurs predominantly among the female half of the population. Men are less likely to suffer from enuresis. Uncontrolled urination mainly occurs at night, when a person is sleeping. The disease has a significant negative impact on a person, making him irritable, nervous and, to some extent, fearful. The causes of the disease can be many provoking factors and a genetic predisposition to this disease.
Types and manifestations of the disease
There are three types of enuresis, depending on the cause that provoked it:
- urge incontinence - a strong separation of urine with a strong urge to urinate;
- stress urinary incontinence - involuntary separation of urine during coughing, crying or laughing;
- Urinary incontinence due to an overfilled bladder.
Types of enuresis in adults depending on the time of occurrence:
- nocturnal enuresis - separation of urine occurs at night. Bedwetting, in turn, is divided into two forms: primary nocturnal enuresis in adults (occurs in childhood) and secondary enuresis (has a pathological factor of influence, caused by urological or neurological causes);
- daytime enuresis - the urge to urinate cannot be restrained during the day with active human activity;
- mixed - malaise that occurs both day and night. There are both primary mixed and secondary enuresis.
A characteristic symptom of incontinence is the frequency of the urge to urinate and the inability to control the passage of urine during the night and daytime. Additional signs of incontinence include:
- the occurrence of pain in the lower abdomen and in the genital area;
- increased body temperature, rarely fever;
- cloudy color of urine and the appearance of blood clots in it;
- general weakness and drowsiness.
Causes of enuresis in adults
The most common causes of this disease are such provoking factors:
- sexual infections and inflammation of the genitourinary system;
- urological diseases (urethritis, chronic cystitis, pyelonephritis, etc.);
- postpartum and menopause in women;
- prostate adenoma in men;
- side effects of certain drugs;
- weakness of the muscles of the bladder and pelvic organs;
- neuropsychiatric disorders, frequent susceptibility to stress and depression;
- consequences of operations on the bladder;
- obesity;
- genetic predisposition to the disease (hereditary factor).
Diagnostics
Diagnostic measures carried out in various ways are aimed at identifying a variety of uncontrolled outflow of urine. These include:
- an appeal to a urologist or gynecologist, including examination of the patient, anamnestic collection of information (a survey of the patient himself or relatives who are aware of his lifestyle, inherent symptoms and diseases);
- for men - feeling and palpation of the prostate;
- for women - examination by a gynecologist on a chair, taking smears for analysis;
- daily note-taking of the number of urination (controlled and uncontrolled);
- carrying out a test with pads (liners) to accurately measure the volume of urine excreted by the bladder;
- laboratory blood and urine tests;
- Ultrasound of the bladder, kidneys, prostate (in men);
- x-ray of the bladder and kidneys;
- endoscopic examination of the urinary tract;
- study of urodynamics of the lower urinary tract.
Treatment Methods
Lifestyle change
To save yourself from an unpleasant state, you should take care of your physical form - do exercises in the morning, do jogging, go to the gym. As a result, the muscles of the pelvic floor and bladder will begin to strengthen. Limiting alcohol consumption and excessive cigarette smoking is highly recommended. Addictions provoke an exacerbation of the disease and lead to a deterioration in the general condition.
With urinary incontinence, you need to drink enough fluids, but you should refrain from carbonated, hot drinks that irritate the bladder mucosa. Diet and proper nutrition
An important role is played by a well-designed diet and following a diet. You must drink at least 2 liters of fluid per day. Any drinks are allowed, except for those that irritate the mucous membrane of the bladder. Such drinks include: strong black tea, coffee, sweet carbonated drinks, beer. From products it is necessary to refuse too salty, spicy, fatty foods. Give preference to foods rich in fiber content, these are fresh fruits and vegetables, cereal cereals, bran bread, greens.
Exercises
One of the most effective methods of conservative treatment and prevention of enuresis is exercises to strengthen the muscles of the pelvis and bladder (Kegel exercises). They are carried out simply, do not require a specially allotted time for implementation and help save a certain amount of money on expensive tests and procedures. Their essence lies in squeezing and unclenching the muscles of the bladder and genital organs. And also when urinating, you need to try to stop the jet and hold it for a few seconds.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy that is used to reduce the overactivity of the muscles that expel urine include:
- electromagnetic stimulation of the pelvic muscles;
- electrical stimulation;
- darsonval for training the walls and muscles of the bladder;
- healing mud treatment.
Taking medicines
The conservative method of treatment includes taking medications. Drugs for the treatment of enuresis: alpha-blockers, antispasmodics, homeopathy and other drugs, the action of which is aimed at treating enuresis and completely getting rid of painful symptoms. Only a gynecologist or urologist has the right to prescribe medications and set the duration of the therapeutic course.
Incontinence drugs
Tablets "Minirin"
A drug that has a vasopressin-like pharmacological action. It treats nocturnal enuresis in children over 6 years of age and is effective in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis in adults. The active substance of the drug reduces the frequency of the urge to urinate and relieves the patient of increased urine formation at night and daytime.
"Driptan" is prescribed for the treatment of nocturnal urinary incontinence, as well as after certain operations.
