Producing urine through your urinary system is an important bodily function that you perform on a daily basis.
Your urine can teach you a lot about your health.
If your pee is different in color or if you’re having trouble peeing, it may be a sign of a potential health issue.
For instance, red colored urine could be a sign of possible cancer or kidney issues.
Both of which can increase your risk for urinary incontinence (UI).
While anyone can have problems with urinary incontinence, women are twice as likely to deal with bladder leaks.
In fact, statistics on urinary incontinence show that about 50 percent of women will experience this in their lifetime.
Older aged women are also far more likely to experience these issues.
As a naturopathic doctor in Mississauga I have treated this issue many times before.
I’d like to share my knowledge about preventative measures, as well as possible treatments.
Let’s explore some facts and clear up some of the questions you may have.
RELATED: Naturopathic Treatments For Urinary Incontinence In Women, Part 2
What Is The Urinary System?
Urinary incontinence, or UI, involves an issue with your urinary system.
Your urinary system is a team of organs that work together to filter blood and take waste out of your body.
The kidneys are a major part of your urinary system, as well as a part of your endocrine system.
Located just beneath your ribs and at the base of your spine, your kidneys are two bean shaped organs that filter 120 to 150 quarts of blood each day.
They’re working at all times to make sure any toxins or waste are properly expelled from your body.
One of the byproducts of this process is 1 – 2 quarts of urine each day.
This is if you’re staying hydrated with lots of water.
Next, the ureters, two thin tubes of muscle, carry urine from the kidneys and deposit it into the bladder.
Once in the bladder, urine will build up until it approaches full capacity.
From there, your bladder sends a signal to your brain telling you that urination must occur soon.
The muscles of this balloon like organ remain relaxed.
As they fill up, they expand and can hold up to two cups of liquid.
Once the time for urination arrives, urine leaves your bladder through your urethra.
Three different muscles aid in this exit through your urethra.
The first muscle being your internal sphincter, located where your bladder attaches to your urethra and along its walls.
Outside of this is your external sphincter, and your pelvic floor muscles, which work together to support your urethra.
For urination to occur your bladder walls will tighten, while your sphincters and muscles will relax, allowing urine to flow through your urethra.
This process requires your kidneys and other parts of your urinary system to function properly.
There are various signs to look out for when it comes to your health and possible kidney issues.
Health issues with your kidneys can increase your risk of developing urinary incontinence.
Read on to find out more about what urinary incontinence is, its various types, and possible naturopathic solutions.
What Is Urinary Incontinence?
There are different types of urinary incontinence.
They have varying causes, outcomes, and durations.
UI can be temporary or permanent depending on its nature.
Stress incontinence is a result of movements or physical changes that put pressure on the bladder.
Physical stress moments that can result in urine leaking include:
- Coughing
- Sneezing
- Laughing
- Physical activity
- Physical changes (such as pregnancy and childbirth)
- Weakening of pelvic floor muscles
- Weakening of the urethra walls
RELATED: Preganancy & Conception For Women Over 40
Another type of UI, is urgency incontinence.
This occurs when a person strongly or urgently feels the need to urinate.
The cause of this is involuntary bladder contraction, which can be triggered by a number of things, such as:
- Mixed nerve signals
- Drinking water
- Touching water
- Hearing water
- Being in a cold environment
- Anxiety
- Medications
- Certain medical conditions, like diabetes or Parkinson’s
This leads to what’s known as an overactive bladder.
What happens is your body will signal your bladder to squeeze without giving you enough time to go to a toilet.
Mixed incontinence is when both stress and urgency incontinence are combined.
There are also other types of incontinence, such as functional incontinence.
This type of UI is the result of a physical disability, external obstacles, mental impairment, or communication issues.
Alzheimer’s or arthritis are two examples of conditions that can lead to functional incontinence.
Overflow incontinence is when the bladder improperly empties.
This is typically caused by weakened bladder muscles, or a blocked urethra.
This type of UI is less common in women than other types.
Lastly there is transient incontinence, which is a form of UI that lasts for only a short time.
This type of UI can be caused by medications, diet, or a temporary condition.
This can be anything from caffeine or alcohol consumption to a urinary tract infection or many other short term afflictions.
What Causes Urinary Incontinence?
There can be many different causes of urinary incontinence, which can cause improper functioning in different parts of the urinary tract.
These causes impact how long the UI lasts, and what type of urinary incontinence is likely to occur.
Anything from a brain signal not functioning properly, to damage of the muscles or nerves, or too much or too little contraction in the bladder or urethra can be the culprit.
Age can also play a role.
Anywhere between 7-37 % of women aged twenty to thirty-nine will experience UI, while 9-39% of women experience daily UI.
Review the section above about the various types of urinary incontinence and some of their specific causes.
Risk Factors For Urinary Incontinence
There are some factors from birth that may increase your chance of experiencing UI, such as other women in your family having UI, birth defects, or being caucasian.
Certain medical conditions may also increase your chances of experiencing UI.
While UI isn’t a disease, it can be a symptom of another affliction or event in a woman’s life.
Some common experiences that may lead to UI include:
Book Your Appointment With The Mindful Healing Clinic Today
Now that we have a better understanding of what urinary incontinence is, next week we’ll talk about some naturopathic treatment options that may work for you.
If you believe you may be suffering from urinary incontinence, though, don’t wait until next week to finish this series.
Contact the Mindful Healing Clinic today to book a FREE 15-minute consultation with me, Dr. Maria Cavallazzi.
During that consultation, we’ll sit down and discuss your health concerns.
From there, I’ll answer any questions you may have about naturopathic medicine, and then we can talk about some treatment options that may work for you.
Book your appointment with The Mindful Healing Clinic today.
Until next time,
Dr. Maria Cavallazzi, N.D
Mindful Healing Naturopathic Clinic
Mississauga, ON L5M 1L7
(905) 819-8200
► https://g.page/MindfulClinicNaturopathic
Dr. Maria Cavallazzi is a medical doctor from Colombia where she practiced as a family physician for 8 years until she moved to Canada 16 years ago and became a naturopathic doctor in Mississauga.
