The Urinary System and Incontinence
Urination and defecation involve a complex communication network among the brain, nervous system, and pelvic organs, which include the bladder, urethra, prostate (in males), rectum, and the levator ani. The levator ani is a group of muscles that forms the main component of the pelvic floor, supporting and controlling urine release and bowel movements.
Incontinence, defined as the involuntary leakage of urine and/or feces, typically results from damage or weakening of the pelvic floor muscles and surrounding organs. This article will explore the causes of urinary and fecal incontinence and a revolutionary treatment option.
Types and Symptoms of Incontinence
Urinary incontinence can be categorized into five main types:
- Functional Incontinence: This occurs when cognitive or physical impairments hinder a person’s ability to reach a restroom in time.
- Overflow Incontinence: Leakage happens when the bladder becomes overly full, often without the individual feeling the need to urinate.
- Stress Incontinence: Urine leaks during physical activities or movements that place pressure on the bladder, such as coughing, sneezing, or laughing.
- Urgency Incontinence: A sudden and intense urge to urinate results in an inability to reach a restroom in time. This can be triggered by changes in body position or sensory stimuli like running water or cold weather.
- Mixed Incontinence: This is a combination of stress incontinence and urgency incontinence.
Fecal (bowel) incontinence can be categorized into two types
- Urge Incontinence: This is the most common type of fecal incontinence. It involves the urge to defecate and the inability to reach a restroom in time.
- Passive Incontinence: This the passing stool without being aware of it. This is due to an error in communication between the muscles and nerves of the rectum.
Certain foods, drinks, and medications can also increase the feeling of needing to urinate or pass stool, Common triggers include:
- Alcohol
- Caffeine (coffee, green tea, black tea)
- Carbonated beverages
- Spicy foods
- Acidic foods (e.g., citrus fruits)
- Artificial sweeteners
- Chocolate
- High doses of vitamin C
- Heart and blood pressure medications
Physiological changes that can contribute to pelvic floor dysfunction include:
- Injury to the pelvic area
- Pregnancy
- Aging
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Pelvic surgery
What is the Kegel Plus Chair?
The Kegal Chair by Freedom+ is designed to address pelvic floor conditions. Weak pelvic floor muscles can disrupt normal bladder and bowel function, leading to incontinence. The Vitality Plus Seat aims to restore and strengthen these muscles through electromagnetic stimulation, generating up to 25,000 strong supramaximal contractions in a single 30-minute session. This stimulation targets three layers of pelvic floor muscles.
- Superficial Perineal Pouch: The outermost layer involved in urination, ejaculation, and urinary incontinence.
- Urogenital Diaphragm: The second layer that helps close the urethra during increased abdominal pressure and stabilizes lower lumbar and pelvic joints.
- Pelvic Diaphragm: The innermost layer that supports organs, continence, and sexual function.
By focusing on these three areas, the Vitality Plus Seat can help restore pelvic floor strength, muscle volume, and overall function.
Benefits of the Kegel Chair
- Improved Pelvic Floor Strength: The supramaximal contractions generated by the seat enhance the strength of pelvic floor muscles, improving bladder and bowel control.
- Non-Invasive Treatment: The device is entirely non-invasive; users simply sit on it for 30 minutes while it generates contractions. A typical treatment plan involves 6-8 sessions.
- Enhanced Quality of Life: By addressing the underlying issues of incontinence, the Vitality Plus Seat helps users regain control over their bodily functions, leading to increased confidence and an improved quality of life.
Conclusion
Incontinence can be a challenging condition, but effective treatments are available. The Kegel Chair provides an advanced, non-invasive solution to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and alleviate symptoms of incontinence. By enhancing muscle control and overall function, this innovative device can help users regain confidence and improve their quality of life.
For those facing incontinence, considering options like the Vitality Plus Seat may be a valuable step toward restoring comfort and freedom in daily life. Always consult a healthcare professional to identify the most suitable treatment for individual needs.
References
Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Fecal (Bowel) Incontinence: Causes, Tests & Treatment. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14574-fecal-bowel-incontinence
Freedom Plus. (2023, July 10). Freedom+ Pelvic Floor Muscle Dysfunction Vitality Seat – FREEDOM+ PFM PFD Incontinence, Pelvic Floor Muscle. FREEDOM+ PFM PFD Incontinence, Pelvic Floor Muscle – Freedom plus Incontinence PFM Pelvic Floor Dysfunction. https://freedom-plus.com/pelvic-floor-muscle-dysfunction-vitality-seat/
John Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.-a). Urinary Incontinence. Www.hopkinsmedicine.org. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/urinary-incontinence
John Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.-b). Urinary Incontinence in Women. Www.hopkinsmedicine.org. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/urinary-incontinence/urinary-incontinence-in-women
Khandelwal, C., & Kistler, C. (2013). Diagnosis of urinary incontinence. American family physician, 87(8), 543–550.
Mayo Clinic. (2019). Urinary incontinence – Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20352808