STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Research & Reviews : A Journal of Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy Review Article

Stress Urinary Incontinence: A Concise Historical Overview

  1. Hina Fatima Department of Ilmul Atfal, Hayat Unani Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Lucknow
  2. Juveriya Naaz Department of Ilmul Qabalat wa Amraze Niswan, Luqman Unani Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Vijaypur
  3. Shagufta Anwar Primary Health Care, Bettiah, Narkatiyaganj

Abstract

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is a prevalent medical condition, particularly affecting women, and can have multiple underlying causes. It is ubiquitous in individuals who are overweight, experience increased abdominal pressure or have had multiple childbirths (multipara). SUI significantly impacts a person’s quality of life, as it involves the involuntary leakage of urine during moments when physical forces on the bladder are heightened, such as during coughing, sneezing, laughing, or physical activity. Historically, the earliest theories regarding SUI linked the condition to the anatomical failure of urethral support. However, further research has revealed that it is not just anatomical failure but the dynamic interaction between the bladder and urethral pressures during increased intra-abdominal pressure that plays a crucial role in the onset of SUI. This understanding has broadened the focus of treatment, moving beyond just anatomical corrections to addressing the complex physiological processes involved. Interestingly, the issue of urinary incontinence is not new to medical history. The Ebers Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian medical text dating back to around 1550 BCE, contains approximately 900 treatments for various conditions. Among these are references to managing incontinence, specifically mentioning remedies to “remove the urine which runs too often” and to “remove constant running of the urine.” This demonstrates that SUI, or conditions similar to it, has been recognized and treated for thousands of years, highlighting its enduring impact on human health. Here a short review of the history of SUI is reported which is essential to address more aspects of this complex situation.

Keywords

References (24)

  1. Sultana A, Rangaswamy PA, Rahman KU, Sundari T. Clinical Evaluation and Investigations in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence: An Overview. Medical Journal of Islamic World Academy of Sciences. 2016;24(2):44-55. doi:10.5505/ias.2016.49360
  2. Padmaja AR, Sultana A, Rahman K, Nagapattinam S. Effectiveness of Cyperus scariosus and Boswellia serrata on quality-of-life in women with stress urinary incontinence assessed with ICIQ-SF. J Exp Integr Med. 2014;4(3):212–219. doi: 5455/jeim.240614.or.107.
  3. Arshiya S, Noor L, Rangaswamy PA, Sundari T. Etiology, risk factors and pathophysiology. Int Res J Biological Sci. 2015;4(6):75–82.
  4. Kelly B, Bhaumik J, Jackson S. Types of incontinence and clinical assessment. Womens Health Med. 2005;2(6):5–9. doi: 1383/wohm.2005.2.6.5.
  5. Robert M, Ross S, Farrell SA, Andrew Easton W, Epp A, Girouard L, et al. Conservative Management of Urinary Incontinence. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. 2006;28(12):1113-1118. doi:10.1016/s1701-2163(16)32326-x
  6. Sultana A, Rahman K, Padmaja AR. Urinary incontinence (Salasal bawl) in Greco-Arabic medicine: A review. Acta medico-historica adriatica: AMHA. 2015;13 Suppl 2:57–76. Razi AMZ. Kital-al-Hawi Vol-10.
  7. Naaz J, Roqaiya M, Fatima KMH, Anwar S, Inamdar N. The pharmacological importance of Quercus Incana: A review. RRJoBT. 2021;11(1):15–19.
  8. Haylen BT, Maher CF, Barber MD, Camargo S, Dandolu V, Digesu A, et al. An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA) / International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for female pelvic organ prolapse (POP). International Urogynecology Journal. 2016;27(2):165-194. doi:10.1007/s00192-015-2932-1
  9. Swift S, Woodman P, O'Boyle A, Kahn M, Valley M, Bland D, et al. Pelvic Organ Support Study (POSST): The distribution, clinical definition, and epidemiologic condition of pelvic organ support defects. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2005;192(3):795-806. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2004.10.602
  10. Lumen N, Oosterlinck W. Challenging non-traumatic posterior urethral strictures treated with urethroplasty: a preliminary report. International braz j urol. 2009;35(4):442-449. doi:10.1590/s1677-55382009000400008
  11. Diamandopoulos A. Plenary lecture. Twelve centuries of nephrological writings in The Graeco-Roman world of the Eastern Mediterranean (from Hippocrates to Aetius Amidanus). Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation. 1999;14(90002):2-9. doi:10.1093/ndt/14.suppl_2.2
  12. Greydanus D, Kadochi M. Reflections on the Medical History of the Kidney: From Alcmaeon of Croton to Richard Bright - Standing on the Shoulders of Giants. Journal of Integrative Nephrology and Andrology. 2016;3(4):101. doi:10.4103/2394-2916.193496
  13. Naaz J, Roqaiya M, Fatima KMH, Ahad A, Wahid MA. Review on Cyperusscariosus: A potential medicinal plant. RRJoCST. 2021;10(1):28–32.
  14. Majoosi AA. Kamil al Sana. (Urdu Translation By Kantoori GH). Lucknow: Nawal Kishore; 1989. pp. 610, 687.
  15. Ibn Sina. Al Qanoon Fit Tib (Urdu translation by Kantoori GH). Vol. 1st part 2. New Delhi: Idara Kitabul Shifa; 2007. p. 112.
  16. Kennedy KL, Steidle CP, Letizia TM. Urinary incontinence: The basics. Ostomy Wound Management. 1995;41(7):16–18, 20, 22, passim.
  17. Kaufman JJ. History of surgical correction of male urinary incontinence. Urol Clin North Am. 1978;5(2):265–278.
  18. Schultheiss D, Höfner K, Oelke M, Grünewald V, Jonas U. Historical aspects of the treatment of urinary incontinence dedicated to Prof. Klaus Bandhauer, St. Gallen, on the occasion of his 70th birthday. Eur Urol. 2000;38(3):352–362. doi: 1159/000020306.
  19. Seim A, Sivertsen B, Eriksen BC, Hunskaar S. Treatment of urinary incontinence in women in general practice: observational study. BMJ. 1996;312(7044):1459-1462. doi:10.1136/bmj.312.7044.1459
  20. Bo K, Frawley HC, Haylen BT, Abramov Y, Almeida FG, Berghmans B, et al. An International Urogynecological Association (IUGA)/International Continence Society (ICS) joint report on the terminology for the conservative and nonpharmacological management of female pelvic floor dysfunction. Neurourology and Urodynamics. 2016;36(2):221-244. doi:10.1002/nau.23107
  21. Moore KN, Saltmarche B, Query A. Urinary incontinence. Non-surgical management by family physicians. Can Fam Physician. 2003;49(5):602–610.
  22. Feneley RCL, Hopley IB, Wells PNT. Urinary catheters: history, current status, adverse events and research agenda. Journal of Medical Engineering & Technology. 2015;39(8):459-470. doi:10.3109/03091902.2015.1085600
  23. Bo K, Talseth T, Holme I. Single blind, randomised controlled trial of pelvic floor exercises, electrical stimulation, vaginal cones, and no treatment in management of genuine stress incontinence in women. BMJ. 1999;318(7182):487-493. doi:10.1136/bmj.318.7182.487
  24. Culligan PJ, Heit M. Urinary incontinence in women: Evaluation and management. Am Fam Physician. 2000;62(11):2433–2444, 2447, 2452.
Support