It's a health problem that many try to hide out of embarrassment, yet it affects 200 million people throughout the world, according to the National Association for Continence. Although more prevalent in women, men can also develop urinary incontinence. Several conditions can lead to the development of urinary leakage -- including excess weight. If you are overweight and your doctor has ruled out other causes, you may find relief through weight loss.
About Urinary Incontinence
Although most commonly associated with older individuals, urinary incontinence can also occur in younger people. Bacterial infections, conditions affecting the nervous system and even certain medications can cause incontinence. This condition can manifest in more than one way depending on cause and type. You may experience sudden urges to release urine or have an inability to fully empty the bladder, causing continual leakage. In some cases, leakage occurs after sudden bursts of pressure put upon the bladder, such as during laughing, sneezing or straining.
Effect of Weight
Stress incontinence, which causes leakage when pressure is put on the abdominal area, can occur if you are overweight or obese. Just as actions like coughing can put pressure on the bladder, excess weight can exerts this type of pressure on the abdominal area. The key difference, however, is that this pressure is constant. Being overweight can both cause incontinence and worsen a condition brought on by some other factor.
Weight Loss & Incontinence
Losing weight will reduce the pressure put on the bladder and other abdominal organs, lessening your risk of urinary leakage. Research published in "The New England Journal of Medicine" in 2009 reveals supportive results. A study showed that overweight and obese women had fewer episodes of stress incontinence after following a weight-loss program for six months. Another study, published in 2011 in the "British Journal of Urology International," found that obese women who underwent bariatric surgery had improvement in stress incontinence; however, urge incontinence -- the sudden need to urinate -- worsened after this surgery. The men included in this study did not benefit from weight-loss surgery.
Other Effective Methods
Your doctor may recommend other methods to manage urinary incontinence in addition to losing weight. These methods may become even more important if weight loss does not improve symptoms. Lifestyle changes that reduce stress on the bladder are recommended. Prevent constipation and the associated straining by adding fiber to your diet. Avoid high consumption of caffeine and alcohol. Do kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles, which can reduce leakage. If needed, take prescription drugs for relief. Surgical procedures may be necessary if other methods aren't effective.
References
- National Association of Continence: Prevalence
- Merck Manuals Online Medical Library: Urinary Incontinence Introduction
- "The New England Journal of Medicine"; Weight Loss to Treat Urinary Incontinence in Overweight and Obese Women; LL Subak, et al.; January 2009
- "British Journal of Urology International"; Effects of Bariatric Surgery on Urinary and Sexual Function; WK Ranasinghe, et al.; January 2011
Member Comments