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Incontinence is the inability to control urination (passage of urine). Incontinence can range from an occasional leakage of urine, to a complete inability to hold any urine. Incontinence is seen more frequently among the elderly. Women are more likely than men to be affected by urinary incontinence.
Incontinence is fairly rare in children. Infants and children up to the time of toilet training are not considered incontinent, but merely untrained. Occasional accidents in children up to age 6 years, especially with urine, are not unusual. Nighttime incontinence is usually referred to as bedwetting or nocturnal enuresis in children and is normal until the age of 6 years. In young girls and occasionally adolescent females, slight leakage of urine may be associated with laughing. Incontinence in children may be associated with urinary tract infections, spinal injuries, urinary tract anatomical abnormalities and neurological abnormalities that result in abnormal bladder control.
Incontinence can be classified as acute (sudden onset) or persistent (long duration). Acute incontinence is usually caused by sudden changes in the urinary tract (such as infection, increased urine amounts) or changes in the ability to urinate. Persistent incontinence is usually caused by chronic (long-term) conditions and can be further classified based on the type of symptoms the person exhibits. The common types of incontinence are stress incontinence, urge incontinence, overflow incontinence and functional incontinence.
Causes of acute incontinence are mental confusion, restricted mobility, urinary tract infection, prostate infection, inflammation of the urinary tract, stool impaction, side effects of medication, polyuria (increased urine amounts) and psychological factors.
Causes of persistent incontinence are sphincter weakness following prostate surgery in men or vaginal surgery in women, pelvic prolapse in women, nervous system impairment such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke and spinal cord injury and mental or psychological changes such as Alzheimer's disease, acute confusion and depression. Bladder cancer, pelvic muscle weakness especially in women who have had multiple pregnancies, enlarged prostate in middle-aged or older men, nerve or muscle damage after pelvic radiation, developmental problems of the bladder, pelvic, prostate or rectal surgery and bladder spasms.
Grapefruit Seed Extract
Incontinence: Take (?) drops of grapefruit seed extract and 1 tsp. baking soda in 1-cup water. Drink 3 times daily.
