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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Urinary Incontinence, Strong Urine Odor And Low Appetite?

My Mom is almost 92. Recently she has lost interest in activities, sleeps a lot and has lost her appetite. The 70 th anniversary of her marriage to Dad is tomorrow. He died 26 months ago. There is also some issue of incontinence as there is a strong odor of urine in her apartment. We have a doctor appointment scheduled for next week. She is on no medications other than multivitamins and calciu supplements. It could be depression, but are there other physiologic causes we should be sure are considered? Thank you!
Tue, 9 Jan 2018
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi, thanks to using HCM.

We understand your concerns. Since when have these complaints been felt?
Unable to control urination (urine incontinence) can be caused by several things, such as:
1. Old age
2. Multipara
3. Excessive weight
4. Diabetes mellitus
5. History of the womb operation
6. Infection
7. Trauma to the abdomen and pelvis
8. Spinal Injuries
9. Stroke, Parkinson's disease, dementia

Incontinence occurs because of problems in muscles and nerves that work to hold or release urine. The body stores urine inside the bladder. The bladder blends with the urethra, a channel that channels the urine out of the body.

During urination, the muscles in the bladder wall contract, giving pressure to the urine to get out of the bladder to the urethra. At the same time, the sphincter muscles around the urethra become relaxed, allowing urine to escape from the body.

Incontinence will occur if the bladder muscles suddenly contract or the sphincter muscle is not too strong to resist back pressure from the urine. Then the urine will "escape" with lower pressure than it should if the muscle is damaged, causing a change in bladder position. Obesity associated with increased abdominal pressure may exacerbate incontinence. So weight loss may reduce the severity of incontinence.

I suggest to bring your mom to consult to an urologist.

Maybe you can also decide to use diapers for your mom, or hire someone to take care of her.

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What Causes Urinary Incontinence, Strong Urine Odor And Low Appetite?

Hi, thanks to using HCM. We understand your concerns. Since when have these complaints been felt? Unable to control urination (urine incontinence) can be caused by several things, such as: 1. Old age 2. Multipara 3. Excessive weight 4. Diabetes mellitus 5. History of the womb operation 6. Infection 7. Trauma to the abdomen and pelvis 8. Spinal Injuries 9. Stroke, Parkinson s disease, dementia Incontinence occurs because of problems in muscles and nerves that work to hold or release urine. The body stores urine inside the bladder. The bladder blends with the urethra, a channel that channels the urine out of the body. During urination, the muscles in the bladder wall contract, giving pressure to the urine to get out of the bladder to the urethra. At the same time, the sphincter muscles around the urethra become relaxed, allowing urine to escape from the body. Incontinence will occur if the bladder muscles suddenly contract or the sphincter muscle is not too strong to resist back pressure from the urine. Then the urine will escape with lower pressure than it should if the muscle is damaged, causing a change in bladder position. Obesity associated with increased abdominal pressure may exacerbate incontinence. So weight loss may reduce the severity of incontinence. I suggest to bring your mom to consult to an urologist. Maybe you can also decide to use diapers for your mom, or hire someone to take care of her.