If you have often felt the urgent need to urinate or have trouble holding your pee, this may be a sign of urinary incontinence. Many suffer silently from urinary incontinence in Singapore (https://drngkailyn.com/conditions/urinary-incontinence/) as it is not widely discussed. However, there is no need to feel shame if indeed you have this condition. Urinary incontinence can happen to anyone, regardless of age and gender. Getting treatment for urinary incontinence as soon as possible releases you from the clutches of stress that accompanies this condition (and also worsens it!), plus medical intervention helps protect you from possible complications. Read on to find out more.
Four Types of Urinary Incontinence
Episodes of urinary incontinence may range from mild to severe. From small leaks to a sudden rush of flow, there is no stopping this condition from interfering with your daily activities. Understanding its four types helps us to better understand its impact and the urinary incontinence treatments available in Singapore.
1. Functional Urinary Incontinence
Functional urinary incontinence happens when your urinary function operates normally, but reaching the toilet in time to relieve yourself becomes a challenge. This can be due to limitations influencing your cognitive or physical abilities and limitations within your environment. This can be true for people diagnosed with dementia, impaired vision, and mobility issues. The concern lies not with the bladder itself, but the person’s lack of ability to respond to the body’s need in proper time.
Older adults and individuals with chronic medical conditions are the usual sufferers of functional incontinence. To improve their condition, interventions that focus on making adjustments to mobility support, environment, and accessibility are needed more than treating the bladder alone.
2. Overflow Urinary Incontinence
Overflow urinary incontinence is characterised by the bladder’s failure to completely empty when urinating, which results in continuous dribbling or leaking. With this condition, you may experience difficulty starting urination, a weak urine flow, or small releases of urine that happens frequently, which are indicators of a bladder that is never empty.
This type of urinary incontinence is more prevalent in men due to various medical factors, such as:
- Blockage in the urethra
- Enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia
- Medications that prevent proper bladder contraction
- Neurological damage affecting the bladder’s control
When not treated, a bladder that is consistently full can blow up into further complications and infections that can affect other organs, placing your overall health at risk.
3. Stress Urinary Incontinence
Stress urinary incontinence (SUI)is the most common type of urinary incontinence among people. This happens when exertion or physical pressure during a regular activity leads to urine leakage. Any abrupt action like coughing, exercising, laughing, lifting heavy items, or sneezing can trigger this unfortunate incident.
Weak pelvic floor muscles or a dysfunctional urethral sphincter causes stress urinary incontinence. In women, this can be a result of hormonal changes relating to menopause, pelvic surgery, pregnancy, or vaginal childbirth. While the condition affects women in general, men can also experience stress urinary incontinence, particularly those who have undergone prostate surgery.
4. Urge Urinary Incontinence
Otherwise known as “Overactive Bladder” (OAB), this type of urinary incontinence occurs when you suddenly feel the intense urge to pee followed by the involuntary release of urine. People who experience the need to urinate more often than usual or those who frequently make trips to the loo several times at night (nocturia) are most likely with this condition.
Urge urinary incontinence stems from involuntary bladder contractions. Several factors may contribute to this unpredictable behaviour, such as bladder irritation, neurological conditions (like Parkinson’s Disease), or urinary tract infections (UTI).
Urinary Incontinence Complications
While there is no direct threat to your life, urinary incontinence that is left untreated for a long time can place a burden on your emotional, physical, and social well-being. Knowing how these consequences can negatively impact your life emphasises why early diagnosis and management are essential.
1. Effects on Emotional and Psychological Health
Urinary incontinence can bring profound effects on your emotional and psychological health. Experiencing leaks quite often can make you struggle with:
- Anxiety in social circles
- Fear of emitting foul odour
- Feelings of incapacity and shame
- Low self-esteem
- Obvious accidents
Because of these dangers, many people with urinary incontinence choose to withdraw from social interactions, exercise, travel, or even intimate relationships, which can lead to isolation, depression, or chronic stress.
2. Impact on Physical Health
To avoid embarrassing accidents, people with urinary incontinence may limit their physical movements or completely avoid activities essential for the body’s health. This can negatively impact the body and result in complications like:
- Cardiovascular decline
- Muscle weakness
- Weight gain
Older adults who restrict their mobility heighten their risk of falls, which can permanently change their quality of life.
3. Infections and Skin Problems
Skin irritation is the top complication that appears instantly with urinary incontinence. This is due to the skin’s constant contact with urine containing bacteria, which increases the risk of developing the following conditions:
- Breakdown of skin barrier
- Cellulitis
- Dermatitis
- Rashes
- Pressure ulcers, specifically for people with mobility limitations
Yeast infections can develop as a result of bacterial and fungal growth, leading to the decline of the skin’s health.
4. Sleep Disturbances
Urinary incontinence disturbs the quality of your sleep whenever you need to get up at night repeatedly to urinate. With compromised sleep, you may experience:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue during the day
- Heightened stress
- Increased risk of falls during trips to the toilet at night
5. Underlying Medical Conditions
Many cases of urinary incontinence point to underlying medical conditions. Without proper treatment, the original problem may exacerbate. Examples of these health conditions are:
- An enlarged prostate
- Disorders affecting the nervous system
- Pelvic organ prolapse
6. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Urinary tract infections (UTIs), which is common in overflow incontinence, arise from the bladder’s inability to empty fully or frequent leakage. The remaining urine in the bladder is a conducive environment for bacteria to grow. Without addressing the problem, UTIs can cause more severe infections like pyelonephritis or kidney infections.
Urinary Incontinence Treatments in Singapore
Urinary incontinence is a highly manageable and treatable condition. The available treatments range from conservative therapies to advanced interventions using medications and surgery. The right treatment for your condition will depend on its severity.
The first-line of treatment uses conservative care, such as bladder training, lifestyle adjustments, and strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles. For chronic conditions, medications like anticholinergics or Beta-3 Agonists may be prescribed to control an overactive bladder. Women may also use vaginal pessaries, which are medical devices designed to support the urethra.
For severe cases that no longer respond to other interventions, minimally invasive procedures, like Botox injections, sling procedures, or neuromodulation, can be done to effectively treat the condition.
To know more about urinary incontinence treatments in Singapore, book an appointment with a trusted gynaecologist.
Aster Gynaecology – Dr Ng Kai Lyn
38 Irrawaddy Rd, #06-58
Mt Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre,
Singapore 329563
+65 6635 2100