Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine and is a common problem among older adults.
Although it is not life-threatening, it is an embarrassing problem for both men and women.
It is now treatable and preventable.
Types of Incontinence: * Stress incontinence: This occurs when the bladder is not well-supported by the pelvic muscles which can happen during menopause, during pregnancy, or even during coughing.
* Urge incontinence: This is a urine leak that is preceded by a sudden urge to urinate.
Many women experience urge incontinence because of infections that irritate the urethra or bladder and which force the urine out of the bladder.
* Overflow incontinence: Those with weak bladder muscles may suffer from overflow incontinence as they cannot completely empty their bladders, causing either a constantly full bladder requiring frequent urination or a constant dribbling of urine.
A blocked urethra can cause overflow incontinence.
* Functional incontinence: This is common among elderly persons due to limited mobility.
Persons in this group include those with arthritis, dementia, Parkinson's disease, etc.
Spinal cord lesion such as quadriplegia may cause reflex incontinence, when the bladder empties due to reflex activity with no control of urination.
Risk Factors There are certain factors that raise the risk of suffering from incontinence.
* Age: Incontinence, though not part of the aging process, occurs more often in older adults.
* Gender: As a result of pregnancy weakening the pelvic floor muscles, women experience urinary incontinence twice as often as men.
After menopause, the pelvic floor muscles are also weaken by the lack of oestrogen.
* Diet: Alcoholic beverages and drinks with caffeine content should be avoided as they irritate the bladder.
* Side effects of medication: Diuretics (water pills), as well as some sedatives, muscle relaxants and antidepressants, high blood pressure and heart medicines, cold relief and diet pills can all affect bladder control.
* Neurological disease or injury (strokes, multiple sclerosis, etc): Damage to the nerves or nerve pathways can cause incontinence.
* Neurological birth defect: These may also lead to neurogenic bladder.
* Physical birth defects: Abnormalities in the urinary tract can cause various types of incontinence.
Treatment There are some basic steps that can be taken to minimize some of the effects of urinary incontinence.
* Kegel exercises: This is the most common recommendation which is to strengthen the pelvic muscles * Bladder training: One technique is to empty the bladder at fixed intervals.
* Oestrogens: Hormone replacement therapy can be taken as tablets, patches or creams, and has been shown to significantly improve symptoms.
* Drugs: There are drugs that stimulate the nerves that control the urine flow.
* Surgery: This is recommended in extreme cases.
Although it is not life-threatening, it is an embarrassing problem for both men and women.
It is now treatable and preventable.
Types of Incontinence: * Stress incontinence: This occurs when the bladder is not well-supported by the pelvic muscles which can happen during menopause, during pregnancy, or even during coughing.
* Urge incontinence: This is a urine leak that is preceded by a sudden urge to urinate.
Many women experience urge incontinence because of infections that irritate the urethra or bladder and which force the urine out of the bladder.
* Overflow incontinence: Those with weak bladder muscles may suffer from overflow incontinence as they cannot completely empty their bladders, causing either a constantly full bladder requiring frequent urination or a constant dribbling of urine.
A blocked urethra can cause overflow incontinence.
* Functional incontinence: This is common among elderly persons due to limited mobility.
Persons in this group include those with arthritis, dementia, Parkinson's disease, etc.
Spinal cord lesion such as quadriplegia may cause reflex incontinence, when the bladder empties due to reflex activity with no control of urination.
Risk Factors There are certain factors that raise the risk of suffering from incontinence.
* Age: Incontinence, though not part of the aging process, occurs more often in older adults.
* Gender: As a result of pregnancy weakening the pelvic floor muscles, women experience urinary incontinence twice as often as men.
After menopause, the pelvic floor muscles are also weaken by the lack of oestrogen.
* Diet: Alcoholic beverages and drinks with caffeine content should be avoided as they irritate the bladder.
* Side effects of medication: Diuretics (water pills), as well as some sedatives, muscle relaxants and antidepressants, high blood pressure and heart medicines, cold relief and diet pills can all affect bladder control.
* Neurological disease or injury (strokes, multiple sclerosis, etc): Damage to the nerves or nerve pathways can cause incontinence.
* Neurological birth defect: These may also lead to neurogenic bladder.
* Physical birth defects: Abnormalities in the urinary tract can cause various types of incontinence.
Treatment There are some basic steps that can be taken to minimize some of the effects of urinary incontinence.
* Kegel exercises: This is the most common recommendation which is to strengthen the pelvic muscles * Bladder training: One technique is to empty the bladder at fixed intervals.
* Oestrogens: Hormone replacement therapy can be taken as tablets, patches or creams, and has been shown to significantly improve symptoms.
* Drugs: There are drugs that stimulate the nerves that control the urine flow.
* Surgery: This is recommended in extreme cases.