On a sunny afternoon, Auntie Li and her friends chatted happily in the park, sharing each other's daily routines. Suddenly, a burst of spring flowers wafted in with the breeze, and Aunt Li couldn't help but sneeze. This seemingly ordinary action made her feel extremely embarrassed - she found that she had accidentally leaked urine. Aunt Li quickly covered her lower body with her bag, hoping that no one would notice this little episode. It's not the first time she's experienced this, but she always suffers in silence and never mentions it to others, let alone asks for help.
In fact, Aunt Li is not alone. Many people experience this embarrassing situation when sneezing, coughing, and even laughing. What they may not know is that it's actually a medical condition called "stress urinary incontinence" that is caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles. The issue, while common, is rarely discussed openly because many people feel ashamed and afraid of being known by others.
But just as we would seek a cure for a cold or arthritis, there are multiple effective solutions to stress urinary incontinence. This article aims to break the silence and provide the necessary knowledge and practical advice to help people like Auntie Li regain their confidence and enjoy life. Let's explore this widespread but little-known problem together to understand why it happens, who is most likely to be affected by it, and most importantly, how we can prevent and improve it.
Stress urinary incontinence: When the body "leaks" becomes an alarm
What is stress urinary incontinence?
When you are embarrassed by laughter, coughing, or a simple sneeze that causes unintentional leakage of urine, you may be experiencing stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The root cause of SUI is the weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and supporting tissues that are tasked with supporting the bladder and keeping the urethra closed as pressure increases. As you age, physical changes, or other stressors, this support system may no longer be as reliable, resulting in occasional urine leakage.
Susceptible population: Find out if you are on the "high risk" list
Postpartum women: the challenges of childbirth
Women who have had a childbearing experience, especially those who have had a vaginal birth, may find that their pelvic floor muscles and tissues become more relaxed due to the intense stress. This stress, combined with the pressure on the abdomen from pregnancy weight gain, can lead to weakened pelvic floor muscle function and an increased risk of SUI.
Middle-aged and older women: traces of time
As we age, hormone levels change in the body, especially estrogen levels, which have a significant impact on the health of the pelvic floor muscles and urethra. Estrogen has some protective effect on these tissues, and a drop in hormone levels can make these tissues fragile and more susceptible to stress.
Long-term occupation of heavy manual labor: the cost of physical strength
People who engage in heavy physical labor for a long time, such as workers who lift heavy weights frequently, experience repeated increases in intra-abdominal pressure. This constant pressure places an additional burden on the pelvic floor muscles, which, over time, can lead to muscle relaxation, which increases the risk of SUI.
People with a history of chronic cough: constant stress testing
Chronic respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma, can cause patients to cough for a long time. Each cough briefly increases intra-abdominal pressure, causing a shock to the pelvic floor muscles. Over time, this repeated pressure may weaken the pelvic floor support, making the patient more susceptible to SUI.
Prevention and improvement measures
Lifestyle fine-tuning: Easily reduce urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence, especially stress incontinence, is partly related to daily lifestyles. By fine-tuning your lifestyle habits, you can significantly improve your symptoms. First and foremost, weight control is crucial. Excess weight can increase pressure in the abdomen, which can compress the pelvic floor muscles, triggering or exacerbating urinary incontinence. Simple daily activities, such as brisk walking, combined with a healthy diet, can help you manage your weight.
Secondly, reducing the intake of stimulant beverages, such as caffeinated beverages and alcohol, can reduce the occurrence of urinary incontinence. These drinks may irritate the bladder and increase the urge to urinate. At the same time, quitting smoking can also be beneficial, as coughing is a common cause of pressure on the pelvic floor muscles.
Exercise your pelvic floor muscles: Enhance internal support
Pelvic floor exercises, commonly known as Kegel exercises, are an effective way to improve stress urinary incontinence. These exercises are designed to strengthen the muscles that support the bladder and urethra, improving their strength and endurance to resist the stress of sneezing or coughing. Kegel exercises are simple and easy to do anytime, anywhere, such as while waiting for a red light or watching TV. It is important to perform these exercises correctly, ensuring that the right muscle groups are activated.
Medical intervention: when self-help is not enough to solve the problem
For some people, lifestyle changes and exercising the pelvic floor muscles alone may not be enough to completely address urinary incontinence. In these cases, medical intervention becomes necessary. Medications can modify or improve bladder function and reduce urinary incontinence events. In some cases, surgical treatment may be the best course to solve the problem, especially for those whose quality of life is severely affected. Surgical approaches may include strengthening or repairing the supporting structures of the pelvic floor muscles.