Incontinence

Dealing with incontinence

Incontinence is the reduced ability to control the excretory movements of the body and is a seldom-discussed but very treatable condition. It can take the form of fecal incontinence, which is a lack of adequate control over bowel excretions, or urinary incontinence (also called bladder incontinence), which manifests as a compulsive need to urinate.

Causes

Some of the types and causes of incontinence include:

Stress incontinence is the loss of small amounts of urine when coughing, laughing, sneezing, exercising or engaging in other movements that increase intra-abdominal pressure and thus increase pressure on the bladder. The main cause is insufficient strength in the pelvic floor muscles.

Urge incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine. The most common cause is spontaneous and inappropriate detrusor muscle contractions.

Functional incontinence occurs when a person recognizes the need to urinate, but cannot physically make it to the bathroom in time due to limited mobility. This form of incontinence is caused by confusion, dementia, poor eyesight, poor mobility or poor dexterity. Other causes include an unwillingness to use the toilet due to depression, anxiety, anger or being in a situation where it is difficult to reach a toilet.

Overflow incontinence is a different sort of problem; patients never feel the urge to urinate, the bladder never empties and small amounts of urine leak continuously. Causes include an enlarged prostate, underactive bladder, tumors and urinary stones.

Treatments

Those affected with incontinence often take their condition to be a social stigma and thus are beset with shame. They might not even try to seek help. Their efforts to manage the problem on their own often fail and they risk becoming socially withdrawn or agoraphobic.

A wide variety of incontinence products are available to relieve the symptoms and enable those with incontinence to enjoy everyday life. Doctors can apply therapeutic electrostimulation to certain patients to strengthen the pelvic muscles. Women benefit from a device called a pessary, which is inserted into the vagina and helps to support the bladder. Both men and women also respond well to prescription medications that act to inhibit leakage and relax or tighten muscles.

In addition, weight loss and kegel exercises can reduce most incontinence symptoms without medication. For persistent, chronic leakage, sufferers can opt for absorbent undergarments and pads.