Incontinence

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Making a diagnosis

Urinary incontinence may be caused by many factors. The risk factors are:

  • uterine prolapse
  • overload of pelvic muscles (pregnancy, childbirth, obesity)
  • enlargement of the prostate gland (in men)
  • climacteric
  • spinal cord injuries
  • multiple sclerosis
  • chronic constipation
  • bladder inflammation
  • taking the diuretic drugs or as a side effect of other drugs
  • kidney stones
  • genitourinary system tumours
  • acute inflammation of the urinary tract
  • mental diseases
  • growing old
  • Parkinson disease
  • Alzheimer disease
  • congenital disorders
  • surgery
  • central stroke

If incontinence episodes occur, you should consult with your physician. You should tell him about diseases you had and about your urinating habits. The doctor will acquaint with the symptoms of your condition and recommend to do some tests to make a diagnosis. Probably, the doctor will make the physical tests (urological and gynaecological), your urine will be tested, some other tests enabling to choose the best treatment may be prescribed. The table below shows diagnostic tests used the most often.

TYPE OF TESTAPPLICATION
Blood test It determines the chemical compounds related to causes of incontinence.
Urinalysis A test that studies the content of urine for abnormal substances such as protein or signs of infection.
Cystoscopy Endoscopy of the urinary bladder via the urethra with use of a cystoscope with lenses at its end. Diagnostic cystoscopy is usually carried out with local anaesthesia.
Postvoid residual (PVR) measurement It determines the amount of residual urine in the bladder using a catheter or ultrasound. The test is always done after urinating.
Stress test This test determines if incontinence episodes occur during coughing (stress)
Urodynamic tests They measure pressure in the bladder both at rest and when filling and evaluate the storage of urine in the bladder and the flow of urine from the bladder through the urethra. Urodynamic tests are performed with use of a catheter.
Cystogram A special X-ray of the bladder. Injection of a fluid containing a special dye is necessary. Series of X-rays show the urinary system and its possible lesions.