Causes and Solutions for Floor Urination
Frequent urination is a common complaint but can have many causes. Some of these include:
Stress: Stress can cause the pelvic floor muscles to weaken, especially in women who are going through menopause. This can lead to leakage.
Stress incontinence is called leakage while exercising, laughing, sneezing, running, or lifting heavy objects.
Urinary Incontinence
According to BowlsEye, urinary incontinence is a condition that affects many more women than men. This is largely because of pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, which can cause the pelvic floor muscles to weaken. These are the muscles that support the bladder and urethra, and they control the flow of urine when you urinate. Symptoms of urinary incontinence include urine leakage, the sudden urge to urinate, and getting up often throughout the night.
When the bladder or sphincter muscles are weak, you are more likely to experience stress incontinence, where your urine leaks when you exert pressure on your body, such as when exercising, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting something heavy. This type of incontinence is more common in younger and middle-aged women, but it can also happen to men who have had a stroke or spinal cord injury.
If you suffer from urinary incontinence, it can be embarrassing to have to wear absorbent pads or rely on a urinary catheter. However, there are many effective solutions to this problem. The key is to visit your urologist for an examination of your urinary tract and the causes of your incontinence. They will be able to advise you on the best treatment options to help you regain your independence and confidence again.
Some causes of incontinence are temporary and go away once the underlying health condition has been treated. For example, frequent urination and leakage caused by a urinary tract infection (UTI) usually stop once the infection has cleared up.
Other causes of incontinence are long-term and will require ongoing medical management. These conditions may include diabetes and multiple sclerosis, which can both cause nerve damage that makes it harder for the bladder to signal to the brain that it is full. Pelvic organ prolapse, where the bladder, uterus, or rectum shifts out of its normal position into the vagina or anus, can also lead to incontinence.
Sick or Elderly People
Urinary incontinence often becomes a problem for older people. However, it is not a normal part of getting old and is usually the result of illness or injury. This can include a stroke or spinal cord injury. Other conditions can also cause bladder control issues, such as dementia. Elderly people who have dementia are more likely to have accidents and incontinence, but with the right care and support, these problems can be stopped or controlled.
It is important to see a doctor if urinary incontinence or bowel leaks are happening frequently. There may be a medical cause that can be treated, such as a slipped disk or a urinary tract infection. Urge incontinence is common among elderly people and occurs when you have an urgent need to urinate, but your urine will leak out before you can get to the toilet. Weak pelvic floor muscles and a weakened bladder sphincter cause this type of incontinence.
Stress incontinence can also occur when the urethra (the short tube carrying urine out of your body) and bladder muscles weaken. Anything that puts pressure on the pelvic muscles, such as coughing or sneezing, can cause this type of leakage. This is because the muscles that hold your bladder and urethra in place are like a hammock; when you exert force on them, they will stretch.
Some medications can help with incontinence, such as Tofranil (imipramine) or Sudafed (pseudoephedrine). These drugs work by tightening the muscles around the bladder. Another solution is to teach the person to delay urinating by taking their time and waiting between visits to the bathroom. You can even encourage the use of a portable commode and practice double voiding, which is when you urinate and then wait for a few minutes before going again.
Kids
Children typically begin potty training as toddlers and have full bladder control by about 4 years old. So, when your child continues to have daytime accidents after this age, it’s a sign that something isn’t right. This is called voiding dysfunction, and it’s a common problem.
A symptom of this condition is feeling the sudden urge to pee even though the bladder may not be empty. Kids with this issue often have a strong need to use the bathroom frequently and may try to “hold it” by crossing their legs or other physical maneuvers. They can also experience urine leakage when they laugh (giggle incontinence), sneeze, or cough. This type of incontinence can also occur at night, causing bed-wetting during sleep (nocturnal enuresis).
Other symptoms include a delay or difficulty starting a urine stream when they’re on the toilet. They may frequently urinate small amounts of urine or a weak stream resembling dribbles. They can also have a urine odor that doesn’t smell like the usual scent. Frequent urinary tract infections are another symptom of this disorder, and many kids with this problem will have repeated UTIs.
In rare cases, a medical condition such as nerve issues or a structural problem can cause a child to have problems with urinating. In these situations, a urologist will perform a thorough examination to check for these problems and determine the best course of treatment for your child.
The most common cause of voiding dysfunction in children is inappropriate or early toilet training. This can lead to pushing when the body releases urine, which can tighten the pelvic muscles and prevent them from relaxing as they urinate. Getting your child to drink lots of water, eat a variety of fruits and vegetables and be physically active can also help improve bladder function. It’s also important to avoid foods known to cause constipation and limit soda, caffeine, and other caffeinated beverages. If these measures don’t help, a pediatric urologist can recommend other treatments.
