Why does it happen?

It occurs because there is a failure of the storage function of the lower urinary tract; this maybe due to inappropriate activity of the bladder muscle or ineffectiveness of the continence maintaining mechanisms. Why it exactly happens remain unknown. The most common causes include:

• Overactive bladder muscles
• Weakened pelvic floor muscles
• For some men, an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Nerve damage that affects bladder control
• A disability or limitation that makes it difficult to get to the toilet quickly
• Side effects from a prior surgery

Risk Factors for urinary incontinence

• Age – increases with age
• Pregnancy – Pregnancy is responsible for marked changes in the urinary tract due to high progesterone levels and pressure effect of gravid uterus
• Child birth – this may result in damage to the pelvic floor musculature as well as injury to pudendal and pelvic nerves
• Gender – women are more likely to have incontinence
• Obesity – extra weight increases pressure on the bladder
• Other disease conditions – diabetes and other diseases may increase the risk

Types of urinary incontinence

• Stress incontinence – occurs during periods of increased intra-abdominal pressure like sneezing or coughing
• Urge incontinence - involuntary urine leakage accompanied by, or immediately preceded by a sudden and compelling desire to urinate that cannot be deferred
• Mixed incontinence – having symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence
• True incontinence – there is continuous leakage of urine
• Overflow incontinence - due to chronic bladder outflow obstruction
• Functional – incontinence that occurs due to inability to go to the washroom

How to manage urinary incontinence?

Treatment is based on the clinical findings and degree of discomfort that the person is experiencing. Effective treatment options are available to improve and manage it. Options may include:

• Lifestyle changes
  • losing weight decreases both stress and urge incontinence in both morbidly and moderately obese people
  • decreasing caffeine intake improves continence
  • increasing fluid intake, only during the day
  • eating adequate amount of dietary fibre to avoid constipation
• Bladder training – going to the washroom at least every 2 hours
• Kegel exercises - Kegel exercises help strengthen pelvic floor and sphincter muscles. By improving the strength of these muscles, you may be able to reduce or stop urine leakage
• Medications – Antimuscarinics like Oxybutinin
• Use of incontinent products – while this doesn’t prevent urinary incontinence, these products are used to manage incontinence
• Surgery – repair of anatomical defect or removal of lesions
• Bedside or portable commodes – toilet substitutes and urinals to optimize toilet access

Managing urinary incontinence may be difficult, most especially with the family caregivers. The need to clean soiled clothing due to incontinence can also add to the stress that the families are experiencing. We can offer you an extra hand, different care options are available for you and your loved one.

If you are a senior living alone and having difficulty managing incontinence, Better Living Home Care Services is here to help and support maintain your independence and privacy. Urinary incontinence may be improved with the right care plan. Let our staff help you improve your quality of life!