Dealing With Urinary Incontinence? How The Condition Can Affect Your Life

If you suffer from urinary incontinence, but you've decided not to seek medical treatment, you need to rethink that decision. You might think that you can take care of the problem by wearing incontinence pads, but that's not the case. Incontinence pads might protect your clothing from wetness, but that's as far as the protection goes. You might not realize this, but urinary incontinence can adversely affect your life and can cause urine-related complications. That's why you need to seek medical treatment for your urinary incontinence. Here are just four of the ways that urinary incontinence can adversely affect your life. 

Rashes

If you've been diagnosed with urinary incontinence, the best thing you can do is seek medical treatment as quickly as possible. Urinary incontinence can increase your risk for a condition known as incontinence associated dermatitis. This condition is similar to the diaper rash that babies can get. Unfortunately, this rash can cause pain, discomfort, and itching. To avoid the rash, it's best to seek treatment for your incontinence. 

Infections

If you haven't sought medical help for your urinary incontinence, you could be at an increased risk for infections. You might not realize this, but urinary incontinence can lead to bladder infections, urinary tract infections, and yeast infections. Infections can occur for a couple of reasons. First, when the bladder doesn't empty completely, small amounts of urine can remain in the urethra. Second, dehydration can increase the concentration of uric acid in your urine, which can lead to bladder infections. Dehydration can occur if you limit your water intake to reduce urine leakage. To reduce the risk of infection, talk to your doctor about available treatments for urinary incontinence. 

Foul Odors

If you suffer from urinary incontinence, there's a good chance that you're dealing with foul odors on a daily basis. Foul odors can develop when you leak urine. That's because your clothing can get saturated with urine. Unfortunately, urine odors are difficult to mask, even with deodorants and perfumed body sprays. The best way to avoid urine odors is to seek medical treatment for your urinary incontinence. 

Self-Esteem

Finally, if you're dealing with the effects of urinary incontinence, you might not feel as self-confident as you should. One of the problems with urinary incontinence is that it can undermine your self-esteem and your self-confidence. Treatment for your urinary incontinence can restore your self-esteem, and help you to regain your urinary control.