Urinary incontinence
Urinary incontinence is the accidental leaking of urine. Urine is made by the kidneys and stored in a sac made of muscle, called the urinary bladder. A tube called the urethra leads from the bladder through the prostate and penis to the outside of the body. Around this tube is a ring of muscles called the urinary sphincter. As the bladder fills with urine, nerve signals tell the sphincter to stay squeezed shut while the bladder stays relaxed. The nerves and muscles work together to prevent urine from leaking out of the body.
Incontinence can happen for many reasons:
If bladder squeezes at the wrong time, or if it squeezes too hard,
If the muscles around the urethra are damaged or weak,
If bladder doesn't empty when it should. If the bladder gets too full, urine will leak out when you don't want it to.
If something is blocking urethra, urine can build up in the bladder. This can cause leaking.
Urinary incontinence happens more often in older men than in young men. But it's not just a normal part of aging.
As per Ayurveda, urinary continence is interpreted as Mutrakriccha - that means Difficulty in urination, that covers the conditions of kidney and urinary tract infection. Mutrakriccha is predominantly a Vata disease. Sometimes Urinary incontinence is mentioned it as Pitta problem.
Ayurveda therapies for Urinary incontinence are:
- Abhyanga (whole body massage) with narayana oil followed by baspa svedana (whole body steam bath)
- Matra basti (procto-colonic administration of medicated oil
- Kegel excercise (special exercise) daily in the morning and evening at empty stomach.
- Oral medicine: Balamoola, Chandraprabha Bati, Shilajeet Tablets, Chandanasava, Gokshuradi Guggulu, Punarnavadi Guggulu, Punarnavarishta, Varunadi Kada
- Meditation - to stay calm and relaxed because feelings of anger and possessiveness can cause urinary tracet problems.
The exact treatment plan is drawn up by an Ayurvedic doctor after the diagnosis has been made and the cause has been realized.
avoid caffeine drinks, such as coffee and tea
Hot spices are to be strictly avoided
avoid fizzy drinks like soda
limit alcohol
Eat foods high in fiber to help avoid constipation
Don't smoke
Stay at a healthy weight
Try simple pelvic-floor exercises
