If cases are not managed well other than the obvious withdrawal from social interaction due to embarrassment from the symptoms , patients with urinary incontinence may develop skin problems from rashes to sores due to the constant contact with urine and in some cases repeated urinary tract infections .
GYN CHRONICLES
Urinary Incontinence
By Dr . Maureen Owiti
Now we officially have to pay a lot of taxes and the powers that be look determined to put a stranglehold on the growth of the economy , even supported by our courts . It is unfortunate but we live in a country where people must go to courts to seek even the most basic justice , and yet it seems apparent in this society that justice is only served to those who can afford to influence it . It is most unfortunate that even the Supreme Court seems embroiled in this matter and duly threw out the petition of one of Kenya ’ s greatest activist of all times - sitting Busia Senator Hon . Okiya Omtatah .
Be as it may , that has completely no relation to the topic at hand but a girl has got to vent once in a while . Enter Mrs . Mary Kamau ( not her real name ), brought in by her lovely daughter Lynette . They have just flown in from Malindi to get an appointment . After a few pleasantries , in typical Dr . Owiti fashion I go straight to the point . How can I help you ?
Lynette expresses that her mother is having trouble controlling her urine . She is unable to go for social functions for fear of a leak and it is really bringing a big toll to her self-esteem . I don ’ t know if this sounds familiar ? I turn to Mary and ask her to explain her symptoms . Mary is now about 70 years old and has been blessed with 7 beautiful children and has numerous grandchildren and she is hoping to see her great grandchildren before her Maker decides to elevate her to another life .
The problem has persisted for round about 10 years . It initially started with when she needed to go to the toilet , she found she can ’ t retain the urine up to the toilet . She didn ’ t think it was anything serious and noted she had drunk quite a bit of water that day so she decided to reduce the amount of water she takes . Initially this improved her symptoms and she was over the moon . Unfortunately , this elation was short lived soon after she started developing urinary tract infections .
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If cases are not managed well other than the obvious withdrawal from social interaction due to embarrassment from the symptoms , patients with urinary incontinence may develop skin problems from rashes to sores due to the constant contact with urine and in some cases repeated urinary tract infections .
Due to the pain while urinating she sought medical advice and the diagnosis was confirmed that indeed she did have a urinary tract infection ( UTI ). First cycle of antibiotics done and the symptoms resolved . Seeing as she did not want to risk urinating on herself , she opted to continue limiting her oral intake of water . In less than two months she was being treated for yet another UTI and with the UTI the incontinence got worse .
She went to visit another doctor and several tests later again another UTI diagnosed and treated . What was interesting was that whenever she treated the UTI both the UTI and incontinence symptoms resolved . She would have a period of respite and then she would go down the same old road . It was a vicious circle akin to getting an online interview for a French visa , where it is a loop with no end in sight .
Frustrated and desperate for a solution they opted to get a second opinion on the matter . After her interview and physical exam , we concluded what we already know that she had urinary incontinence and most likely urge incontinence .
Types Of Urinary Incontinence
There are different types of urinary incontinence mainly :
Stress incontinence
Urine leaks when pressure is exerted on the
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