PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC PERFORMANCE IN PREVENTING URINARY INCONTINENCE IN ELDERLY WOMEN

Abstract

This article sought to carry out a literature review on the role of physiotherapy in the treatment of urinary incontinence in elderly women. The study showed that physiotherapy is a promising resource for dysfunctions caused by urinary incontinence, bringing a positive result in the rehabilitation of the pelvic floor. The International Continence Society defines urinary incontinence (UI) as any complaint of involuntary loss of urine, responsible for causing social and hygienic problems, ranging from occasional leakage to a total inability to control any amount of urine. We know that UI is not part of physiological aging, however the increase in prevalence among elderly women is evident, which has had an impact on quality of life, as over the years we have a decrease in muscle tone and as a result of the decrease in estrogen, contractions occur. involuntary. Physiotherapy works to prevent UI, seeking to improve the quality of life of elderly women. It is concluded that physiotherapy has several options to treat UI, with strengthening the pelvic floor muscles, associated or not with a device, being the most used way to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life of women who suffer from this dysfunction.