Urinary incontinence Flashcards
What is urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine, significantly affecting quality of life. It can result from structural, neurological, or functional abnormalities.
Why is identifying the type and cause of incontinence important?
Proper identification is crucial for effective management, as treatment varies based on the underlying type and cause of incontinence
What is stress incontinence?
Stress incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine due to increased intra-abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising.
What causes stress incontinence?
It is caused by weakness of the pelvic floor muscles and/or urethral sphincter incompetence.
What are the risk factors for stress incontinence?
Risk factors include pregnancy, vaginal delivery, obesity, aging, and previous pelvic surgery.
What is urge incontinence (overactive bladder)?
Urge incontinence is the sudden and intense urge to urinate, followed by involuntary leakage.
What causes urge incontinence?
It is caused by detrusor muscle overactivity due to neurological conditions (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis), bladder irritation (e.g., infections, stones), or idiopathic factors.
What are the risk factors for urge incontinence?
Risk factors include aging, neurological disorders, and bladder irritants such as caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods.
What is overflow incontinence?
Overflow incontinence is involuntary leakage due to bladder overdistension and incomplete emptying.
What causes overflow incontinence?
It can be caused by bladder outlet obstruction (e.g., benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH], strictures) or detrusor underactivity (e.g., diabetic neuropathy, spinal cord injury).
What are the risk factors for overflow incontinence?
Risk factors include diabetes mellitus, chronic urinary retention, neurogenic bladder, and medications such as anticholinergics and opioids.
What is functional incontinence?
Functional incontinence is urinary leakage due to cognitive, mobility, or environmental barriers despite normal bladder function.
What causes functional incontinence?
Causes include dementia, delirium, physical disabilities, impaired mobility, and medications such as sedatives and diuretics.
What are the risk factors for functional incontinence?
Risk factors include advanced age, stroke, arthritis, and impaired cognition.
What is mixed incontinence?
Mixed incontinence is the combination of two or more types of incontinence, most commonly stress and urge incontinence
What causes mixed incontinence, and what are the risk factors?
Mixed incontinence results from a combination of factors related to stress and urge incontinence, such as weakened pelvic floor muscles and detrusor overactivity.
What key aspects of history should be assessed in a patient with urinary symptoms?
Onset, frequency, severity, triggers, and associated symptoms such as nocturia, urgency, dysuria, and pelvic pain.
What medical conditions should be reviewed in a patient with urinary symptoms?
Neurological disorders, diabetes, and previous surgeries.
Why is a medication review important in urinary symptom assessment?
Certain medications, such as diuretics, sedatives, and anticholinergics, can contribute to urinary symptoms.
What key findings should be assessed in a pelvic exam for women?
Pelvic organ prolapse and atrophic vaginitis.
What is the purpose of a digital rectal exam (DRE) in men with urinary symptoms?
To assess prostate size and consistency, which may indicate benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or other abnormalities.
Why is a neurological exam important in evaluating urinary symptoms?
To identify sensory or motor deficits that may indicate neurological causes of bladder dysfunction.
What is the purpose of a urinalysis and urine culture in evaluating urinary symptoms?
To rule out infection or hematuria.
How is post-void residual (PVR) measured, and what does it indicate?
PVR is measured using ultrasound or catheterization to assess urinary retention.
