MANY URINARY PROBLEMS ARE TREATABLE

QI’m a 20- year- old girl suffering from urinary incontinence. I don’t know why, but I can’t hold the urine once I get the urge. It’s easy if I’m sitting, but once I get up, it starts leaking. Please help. — Anonymous

Let me first reassure you that this is a treatable problem, so rest easy. Two out of three women have some kind of urinary problems. However, since they are embarrassed to speak about it for fear of alienation, they don’t seek help.

Interestingly, we are born incontinent and it is only between ages three to five that the brain processes that control social norms mature and a child can be potty trained.

Continence is possible because of a series of neurological messages between the bladder, spine and the brain. When the bladder fills and you are ready to urinate, it sends a message to the brain that it has to be emptied soon. The brain then assesses whether the person is close to a bathroom or not. If yes, then it will direct you to the bathroom and your job is done. However, in an inconvenient location or situation, the brain sends a message through the spine to the bladder which can expand its capacity to hold urine until a socially acceptable place like a bathroom is identified. Usually, only when the brain gives a command to void, the bladder empties.

— Dr Anuradha Koduri, consultant urogynaecologist QI

am 6 feet tall and 42 years old, but I weigh only 50 kg. Despite good eating habits, my weight has not gone up. Could I be having a digestion issue? — Gyan

You have a low BMI and are underweight. This could be due to nutritional issues like reduced caloric intake and excess caloric expenditure. Increase caloric intake in the form of proteins and good fats to see an improvement in your weight. Medical conditions like hormonal problems, infections and even diabetes can also cause you to be underweight. Undergo some tests to rule out the medical problems. If you have an indigestion problem, reduce your intake of food, and get treated with proton pump inhibitors. Also, maintain regular food habits at all times.

Dr Shiva Raju, consultant — internal medicine