Can you pee your pants and not know it? (+3 reasons)
By
Ivan Kahwa
Author bio
Mr Ivan Kahwa is a chemist and phytopharmaceutical scientist with expertise in chemistry, pharmacology, phytochemistry, and Nanobiotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Mr Ivan Kahwa’s Highlights:
Guest Researcher at the University of Leipzig, Senior Research Fellow/Scientist, and Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Professional Experience:
Mr Ivan joined PHARMBIOTRAC as a research fellow/scientist during his master of science tenure. He contributed to the development of most of the phytopharmaceutical products in the project. Furthermore, he participated in carrying out the pharmacological activities of the developed products in laboratory animals such as mice and rats in order to develop proper doses hence leading to pre-clinical studies.
With the above relevant research experience, Ivan started to work with the University of Leipzig on collaborative projects with Mbarara University to develop the chemistry of Ugandan Medicinal plants and their pharmacological activities. This was coupled with several consultative positions by different German NGOs. Mr. Kahwa is also a supporting in the teaching and learning at the Departments of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
With the increase in antimicrobial resistance globally, Ivan retooled his thinking towards developing new naturally derived antibiotic regimens from Ugandan propolis with the assistance of nanotechnology to improve their delivery to microbial cells. Kahwa has also published over 28 articles in peer-reviewed journals and he is currently reviewing for many journals.
Education:
2023-2027: PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences (ongoing) with a focus on Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Nanobiology at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2022: 2Msc. in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine Science at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
2018: Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) at Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
Publications:
▪ Iqbal, S., Jabeen, F., Kahwa, I., & Omara, T. 2023. Suberosin Alleviates Thiazolidinedione-Induced Cardiomyopathy in Diabetic Rats by Inhibiting Ferroptosis via Modulation of ACSL4-LPCAT3 and PI3K-AKT Signaling Pathways. Cardiovascular Toxicology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12012-023-09804-7
▪ Gupta, A. K., Yadav, R., Sharma, S., Sawale, J., & Kahwa, I. 2023. Anti-ageing Activity and Antioxidant Activity of Methanol Extracts of Leaves and Flowers of Salvia officinalis and Rosmarinus officinalis. Journal of Young Pharmacists, 15(3), 448–455. https://doi.org/10.5530/jyp.2023.15.60
▪ Tolo, C.U., Kahwa, I., Nuwagira, U., Weisheit, A. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Medicinal plants used in treatment of various diseases in the Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda. Ethnobotany Research and Applications, 25, pp.1-16.
https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/4683
▪ Kahwa, I., Ajayi, C.O., Yadav, R., Chauhan, N.S., Shah, K., Abdelgadir, A.A., Shegena, E.A., Daniel, S., Omara, T., Asiimwe, J.B. and Ikiriza, H., 2023. Pharmacognostic and phytochemical studies as an invaluable approach for correct identification of medicinal plants: The case of Artemisia vulgaris L. substituted for Artemisia annua L. in Western Uganda. TMR Integr Med, 7, p.e23004.
https://doi.org/10.53388/TMRIM202307004
▪ Nalimu, F., Oloro, J., Kahwa, I. and Ogwang, P.E., 2021. Review on the phytochemistry and toxicological profiles of Aloe vera and Aloe ferox. Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 7, pp.1-21.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s43094-021-00296-2
▪ Elamin, O.H.S., Ali, M.A., Elgezuli, I.A.A., Bashir, M.A. and Kahwa, I., 2021. Diagnosis of pre-and post-treatment of echinococcus granulosus with counter current immune electrophoresis and bacterial co-agglutination. Journal of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, 11(02), pp.88-94.
https://doi.org/10.5799/jmid.951600
Published book Chapter
▪ Kahwa, I., Ayesiga, I., Nakalema, S., Alinaiswe, R., Mbabazi, R. and Iqbal, S., 2023. Natural products in the management of onchocerciasis. In Natural Products in Vector-Borne Disease Management (pp. 63-80). Academic Press. Book Chapter.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-91942-5.00012-4
Submitted manuscripts Under Review:
▪ Comparison of the Wound Healing Activity of the Leaf and Leaf Ash Extracts of Vernonia amygdalina in Rats. Journal name: Clinical Phytoscience
▪ Ethnobotanical Survey of Medicinal plants used in the management of cancer in Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Herbal Medicine
▪ Ethnobotanical survey and phytochemical screening of medicinal plants used in treatment of epilepsy by PROMETRA-Uganda Traditional Health Practitioners in Mpigi District, Uganda. Journal name: Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Submitted book chapters under review
1.Book title: Algae as a Natural Solution for Water-Food-Energy Nexus, Section 4: Microalgae and cyanobacteria for food applications, Chapter 4.6: Safety, toxicological and allergenic aspects of using algae for food. Authors: Christine Kyarimpa, Tom Omute, Caroline K. Nakiguli, Alice V. Khanakwa4, Christopher Angiro, Ivan Kahwa, Fortunate Ahumuza, Timothy Omara*. Publisher: Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721, Singapore.
2.Book title: Nutraceuticals Inspiring the Contemporary Therapy for Lifestyle Diseases. Chapter: Nutraceutical applications of Seaweeds and their Phytocompounds in Nutrition and Treatment of Diseases. Authors: Ivan Kahwa, Timothy Omara , Innocent Ayesiga , Gael Noel Neh Neba Ambe , Zehbanaz Javidbhai Panwala , Rachel Mbabazi , Shabnoor Iqbal , Christine Kyarimpa , Christine Betty Nagawa , Kamal Shah ,Nagendra Singh Chauhan* Publisher: CRC Press
You can view my works on the following professional sites:
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ivan-Kahwa
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=tOwrvqoAAAAJ&hl=en
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6440-3437
Linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/ivan-kahwa-865450159
In this article, we will discuss why you pee involuntarily without knowing it. We will also discuss some of the techniques that can help you reduce the occurrence of peeing yourself without feeling it.
Can you pee your pants and not know it?
You may pee your pants without knowing because of urinary incontinence. There are several reasons for involuntary urination, including pressure on the bladder, overfull bladder, weakness in the pelvic floor muscle, or loss of bladder control.
Physical activities, such as heavy lifting, laughing, sneezing, and sprinting may put pressure on your bladder leading to involuntary urine leakage. This is known as stress incontinence but has nothing to do with psychological stress.
If you have frequently begun to pee yourself without knowing it, immediately consult your urologist or gynaecologist. It is more common in pregnancy, menopause, patients with prostate cancer, enlarged prostate gland, or urinary tract obstruction.
What factors contribute to bladder control issues?
There are various factors and types of urinary incontinence that may make you pee yourself suddenly and without knowing.
Stress incontinence
Sometimes physical movement and activities, including coughing, laughing, sneezing, during sex, exercise, or heavy lifting put pressure on the bladder. This causes the leakage of urine and is known as stress incontinence.
Stress incontinence most commonly occurs due to weakness of the urethral muscles. The bladder or other organs may fall and press against the urethra. Childbirth is one of the causes of weaker pelvic muscles.
Urge incontinence
Urge incontinence involves a sudden strong urge to pee, but you pee yourself involuntarily before reaching the washroom. The urge to urinate is frequent and stronger at night while resting.
Urge incontinence is more common in patients who have urinary tract infections, diabetes or some neurological disorder. The two main symptoms of diabetes insipidus involve extreme thirst and frequent urination.
Overflow incontinence
Overflow incontinence occurs when you have a strong urge to pee but can only release a limited volume or drips of urine. This could be because of a weak bladder muscle or an obstruction in the urinary tract.
Because your bladder does not drain properly, it becomes full and overflows involuntarily even when you do not need to urinate. Overflow incontinence is more common in men because of the possibility of an enlarged prostate gland.
Other factors
Ageing tends to weaken the bladder muscles. The elderly are more prone to involuntary urination and dripping as compared to an adult. Ageing also reduces the bladder’s capacity to hold large volumes of urine (1).
Prostrate cancer and enlarged prostrate gland increase the occurrence of involuntary urination. A tumour in the urinary tract also blocks the normal flow of urine. Urine leakage is also common in patients with gallstones, urinary stones, and bladder infections.
How to reduce the episodes of involuntary urination?
As a first-line treatment, your doctor will teach you behavioural therapy such as bladder training, pelvic floor muscle training, and toileting practices. Other prevention techniques might require pharmacological intervention and lifestyle modification.
Pharmacological interventions
Antimuscuranic agents are often prescribed for urinary incontinence. These drugs include oxybutynin, solifenacin, and fesoterodine. Once the treatment has started, you should not abruptly stop taking antimuscarinic agents, especially oxybutynin, as it may worsen the symptoms of an overactive bladder.
Beta-3 adrenoreceptor agonists, including mirabegron, are used to relax detrusor muscles. They also reduce bladder afferent activity and spontaneous contractility. In some cases, anticholinergic drugs are prescribed with mirabegron for increased efficacy (2).
Women are often advised vaginal pessaries to support the bladder and vagina after giving birth or during menopause. In extreme cases, men are advised a sling surgery in which a surgical mesh is installed on the top portion of the urethra near the sphincter muscle.
Lifestyle modifications
Certain foods and drinks may stimulate your bladder involuntarily without you realizing it. If you have an overreactive bladder, you should avoid consuming chocolate, chilli peppers, large doses of vitamin C, or food that is too spicy or acidic.
You should also avoid caffeine (irritates the bladder), alcohol (diuretic), and carbonated drinks. You should avoid smoking or lifting heavy objects. If you have constipation, take high-fibre food as constipation weakens the pelvic floor muscles.
Exercise daily to reduce extra weight. Obesity may also weaken the pelvic floor muscles due to undue fatty tissue pressure on the bladder. However, avoid high-impact exercises and sit-ups as they may cause leakage and drip.
I often experience sudden involuntary urination, especially during the winter season. If you experience such issues, you must use the restroom before your bladder is full. If you pee yourself once in a blue moon then there is nothing to worry about.
However, if such episodes are frequent, immediately consult your doctor. Sometimes, this occurs due to natural phenomena like pregnancy and menopause. At times it may indicate a more serious illness like prostate cancer, and urinary tract infection.
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References
1.-
Shaw C, Wagg A. Urinary incontinence in older adults. Medicine. 2017 Jan 1;45(1):23-7. Shaw C, Wagg A. Urinary incontinence in older adults. Medicine. 2017 Jan 1;45(1):23-7.
2.-
Nandy S, Ranganathan S. Urge Incontinence. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK563172
