Galileu Hospital warns about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of urinary incontinence

According to the Brazilian Society of Urology (SBU), millions of Brazilians live with urinary incontinence, but many still suffer in silence. The social stigma and lack of information on the subject continue to be barriers in facing this condition. To promote awareness on the topic, the Galileu State Public Hospital (HPEG) in Belém shares fundamental guidelines on diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

“Urinary incontinence can be classified into different types, such as stress incontinence, very common in women after childbirth, when there is leakage when coughing or lifting weights, and spontaneous incontinence, usually associated with neurological causes or bladder dysfunctions,” explains Gilflávio Fernandes, coordinator of the Urology Service at Galileu Hospital.

According to the specialist, the diagnosis begins with the collection of the patient's clinical history and physical examination. In some cases, complementary tests, such as urodynamics, may be necessary to determine whether the cause is neurological or functional. “These evaluations help indicate the most effective and personalized treatment for each patient. Individualizing care makes a difference in recovery,” emphasizes the specialist.

Prevention and treatment - To prevent pelvic floor dysfunctions, such as urinary incontinence, it is essential to adopt healthy habits from an early age, advises the doctor. “Exercises that strengthen the pelvic area, such as Kegel exercises, are fundamental, especially after childbirth,” he informs.

Maintaining a balanced lifestyle is also an effective prevention strategy. “A healthy body weight, avoiding smoking, and engaging in physical activities contribute to the prevention of incontinence,” reinforces the urologist. Additionally, treating neurological conditions helps to reverse or minimize the problem.

"Treatments for incontinence vary according to the cause and severity," explains Gilflávio Fernandes. The approaches generally involve behavioral changes, controlling fluid intake, dietary adjustments, and pelvic physiotherapy. “In complex cases, medications may be recommended to complement the treatment. When initial interventions do not have the expected effect, and the clinical picture is more severe, surgical procedures are indicated,” he adds.

Reference - At Galileu Hospital, a unit of the Government of Pará managed by the Institute of Social and Environmental Health of the Amazon (ISSAA), in partnership with the State Department of Public Health (Sespa), the Urology Outpatient Clinic serves patients with various pathologies of the urinary and genital systems.

"Our service profile is broad, and includes everything from kidney stones and prostate diseases to recurrent urinary infections and tumors. The main complaints from patients include lower back pain, burning during urination, bleeding through the urinary tract, and recurrent infections,” informs Gilflávio Fernandes.

Currently, Galileu Hospital conducts about 250 monthly consultations in the urology specialty. During the consultations, accurate diagnoses are made and personalized treatment plans are developed, ensuring an individualized approach for each patient. This structure allows for efficient medical care tailored to the specific needs of each case.

Galileu Hospital maintains 104 inpatient beds and offers specialized care, such as the Bone Reconstruction and Lengthening Service, and surgeries for trachea and urological conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, renal exclusion, and prostate biopsy screening.

The Galileu State Public Hospital is located at Avenida Mário Covas, nº 2.553, Una neighborhood.