50 million Indian sufferring from urinary incontinence

Allahabad, June 11 (UNI) In India, about 50 million people are sufferring from some type of urinary incontinence (UI).

Talking to newspersons yesterday, Dr Dilip Kumar Chaurasia, Prof Urology, Department of Surgery, Moti Lal Nehru Medical College said this condition could happen to anyone and was common in elders.

Loss of urinary bladder is called UI -- meaning one cannot always control passing urine.

Dr Chaurasia said it was twice common in females compared to men.

Ageing does not cause UI and it was not a sign of natural ageing process.

However, ageing can decrease bladder capacity, decrease urinary stream and increase frequency of urination. UI may be transient or permanent. People with UI were frequently depressed and often curtailed their social activity.

''Anyone with bladder control problem should not be ashamed. Now, all types of UI can be treated,'' Dr Chaurasia advised.

''Common causes of UI are post menopausal state in females, prostatic enlargement or prostatic operations in males, weakness of pelvic muscles, constipation, immobility, drugs, urinary infection and diabetes.'' Dr Chaurasia said today there were more treatment options for UI than ever before. The choice of treatment depends on the type and cause of problems. ''Several new medicines are now available, which are effective in treatment.

The urologist said various surgical operations can be performed to cure UI. Some simple devices were also available in the market to decrease the problems like special absorbent pads, male external catnerers, urethral plugs, pessaries, diapers and catheters.

Dr Chaurasia informed that in recent times, use of brief doses of electrical stimulation could strengthen muscles in lower pelvis in a way similarly to excercising the muscles.

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