A Literary Exploration of Salas-ul-Baul (Urinary Incontinence) in Greco-Arabic/Greco-Persian Medicine

Salasul baul is a disturbing health condition as the affected person is not capable to hold the urine. It causes considerable morbidity, social seclusion, and psychological stress, leading to poor quality of life (QoL). It, thus, must be given a significant attention not only from the hygiene perspective but also for its impact on their quality of life. Higher incidence is found in females of advancing age. Debilitating health related quality of life is an important reason and factor for seeking treatment. Most of those suffering from Salasul baul do not share their problem with the healthcare provider, thus increasing the disease burden. Therefore, in order to prevent urinary incontinence, its risk factors should be known in the first place. In the present paper, various scientific papers from reputed journals have been reviewed and also Unani literature has been incorporated to offer an integrated outlook of this dysfunction. Many eminent Unani scholars have described this condition with the name of salasul baul in their classical treatises. Emphasis for the correction of this condition has been given to diet, herbal formulations and riyazat (exercise). Patients’ education and adherence to a specific exercise regime is vital in preventing urinary incontinence.