Don’t let bladder control your life – Dr Manish Ahuja

Chandigar Correspondent, Demokretic Front, Mohali July 13, 2022 :

All of us must have experienced situations when an elderly person has avoided or refused to join us for a dinner party or for a picnic or for an outing. We often wonder the real cause of this but let it go assuming it is due to old age and a loss of vitality. Very often, the reason is something basic which can be treated.As you age, your kidneys and bladder change. This can affect their function. The bladder wall changes. The usual elastic tissue of bladder may become less stretchy and tough with age, and the bladder walls and pelvic floor muscles may also become weaker. These changes can cause problems with bladder emptying and leaking urine. This unintentional passing of urine is called Urinary Incontinence.

It is a common problem that people find to be quite embarrassing. Fear of bladder accidents can isolate you from work, friends, and family. You may feel alone, but you’re not. Urinary incontinence constitutes a major health problem affecting the lives of an estimated 400 million persons worldwide. Remember, Urinary incontinence is a treatable medical condition. Urinary incontinence is not a disease. There are many different reasons that you could experience incontinence.Dr Manish Ahuja said, “Temporary or short-term causes of incontinence can include urinary tract infections, pregnancy, long term medications and constipation. 
Long-term causes of incontinence can include stroke, diabetes, menopause or enlarged prostate. Urinary incontinence is a symptom of a wide range of health conditions. Hence it is important that the real cause of the condition be diagnosed and identified before treatment is administered. “Left untreated, it can have a negative effect on your quality of life and health as well. Various management options are available for urinary incontinence, many of which are given in combination, including behavioural techniques, pelvic floor muscle training, medication, surgery, nerve stimulation, and containment products such as pads and catheters. 

You should consult your urologist if urinary incontinence impacts your daily activities and causes you to miss out on things you usually enjoy : Dr Manish Ahuja