Urinary Incontinence Research Paper

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Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine; in simple terms, to wee when you don't intend to. It is the inability to hold urine in the bladder because voluntary control over the urinary sphincter is either lost or weakened. Urinary incontinence is a much more common problem than most people realize. In the United Kingdom it is estimated that at any one time at least 3 million people - 5% of the total population - suffer from urinary incontinence. The US Department of Health and Human Services estimates that approximately 13 million Americans suffer from urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is more common among women than men. 10% to 30% of American women/girls aged 15-64 years are thought to suffer from it, compared…show more content…
The following can cause total incontinence: * An anatomical defect the person has had from birth. * A spinal cord injury which messes up the nerve signals between the brain and the bladder. * A fistula - a tube (channel) develops between the bladder and a nearby area, most typically the vagina. The following may also sometimes cause urinary incontinence: * Some medications - especially some diuretics, antihypertensive drugs, sleeping tablets, sedatives, and muscle relaxants. * Alcohol - if a person drinks a large quantity of alcohol the bladder and the muscles around it will relax, plus the individual may become less aware of when it is time to urinate. Alcohol is also a diuretic and a bladder stimulant. In general, any amount of alcohol will relax the muscles linked to urinary control to a certain extent. * Other drinks and foods - some sodas (carbonated drinks), tea, coffee, artificial sweeteners, corn syrup can aggravate the bladder and trigger episodes of incontinence. For some people, incontinence may be triggered by foods with certain spices, sugar, acid (citrus and tomatoes). Caffeine is a diuretic and a bladder

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