Urinary incontinence (UI) is a condition that can affect both men and women. This condition causes a person to lose control of their bladder when coughing, laughing, lifting heavy objects, or engaging in intense physical exercise.
According to Dr. Juan Pablo Castillo Rodríguez, a urologist at Urozen Medical Center, there are three types of urinary incontinence: stress, urgency, and mixed, which is a combination of both.
Many people believe that experiencing this problem is normal due to aging, but it is not always the case as it also occurs in young people. When a person has urinary incontinence, it is important for them to take care of their diet. Here's more information.
What diet should you follow if you suffer from urinary incontinence?
In this situation, it is important to consume foods that help regenerate the cells of the genital mucosa, kidneys, bladder, and muscle tissue. In that sense, here are the appropriate products.
- Blueberries
- Lentils
- Avocado
- Nuts
- Fish
- Milk
- Egg
- Infusions
The specialist also recommends consuming fiber-rich foods to avoid constipation and avoiding beverages that contain diuretic substances such as caffeine, tea, alcohol, etc.
What are the symptoms of urinary incontinence?
- Urinary leakage when coughing, exercising, or bending down.
- Having constant urge to urinate and being unable to contain the sensation.
- Urinary leakage while sleeping and being unable to hold urine when walking to the bathroom.
What are the causes of urinary incontinence?
- Aging
- Bladder infection
- Constipation
- Obstruction of the urinary tract
- Chronic cough
- Overweight and diabetes
What complications can urinary incontinence cause?
Due to occasional urine leakage, the area may become moist, which can cause skin irritations and make the person prone to recurrent urinary infections.
How does urinary incontinence affect a person's mental health?
At times, people prefer not to attend social activities out of fear of having accidents in public. Also, many patients choose not to meet with relatives, friends, or even engage in activities like going to the movies or traveling on a bus.
What exercises should a person with urinary incontinence do?
Doctors advise that a patient with this condition should perform low-impact exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.
Are there treatments for urinary incontinence?
Yes, but it depends on the cause and the age of the patient. To learn more, it is advised to visit a specialist who can conduct the necessary tests to determine the ideal treatment. Available methods include pharmacological therapies, electric or electromagnetic devices that help strengthen the muscle tissue in the area, injections of botulinum toxin, nerve stimulation, or surgical procedures.
Finally, Dr. Castillo Rodríguez from Urozen Medical Center indicates that in most cases, urinary incontinence is manageable and treatable. This not only avoids the physical discomfort caused by this condition, but also allows for effective and long-term improvement in quality of life.