Incontinence
Medically defined, incontinence is an involuntary lack of control of bladder or bowel functions. Despite the misconception that only the elderly suffer from incontinence, it can affect people of all ages and backgrounds. However, it is the elderly, who are most commonly affected.
According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC), a little over half of adults ages 65 and older are affected by incontinence. Ranging in severity, incontinence could be a small amount of leakage when you sneeze or urges so strong that you don’t make it to the bathroom in time.
Some people suffering with incontinence may only have minor leaks, while others may wet their clothes almost regularly. There are different kinds of incontinence and each has slightly different symptoms. The main types of incontinence are:
Stress
Not the kind that you feel at work or during the Holidays, but the physical kind associated with an increase of stress that puts pressure on the abdomen and bladder, resulting in accidental urine or fecal loss. Coughing, heavy lifting, sex and even laughing can all be triggers.
Urge
As the name implies, this form of incontinence is characterized by a sudden, intense urge to urinate, even after the bladder was recently emptied. This may result in frequent trips to the bathroom throughout the day and night.
Overflow
Overflow incontinence is when the bladder does not empty completely, causing constant or frequent leaking.
While not considered a disease, but rather a result of something being off with the body, it is still highly recommended to see a doctor to rule out any potentially more serious underlying issues. Here are some underlying problems or changes that may cause urinary incontinence:
When you see a doctor regarding incontinence issues, he will want to determine what kind of incontinence you have to be able to create a treatment plan. Your doctor will likely start with a physical exam and go through your medical history before moving on to tests. From there, they may recommend a number of tests or evaluations, which may include:
If your doctor is not able to confirm your diagnosis, they perform further testing to rule out different types of incontinence.
Incontinence is a frustrating and embarrassing situation, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still lead a high quality of life. Here are some ways to manage incontinence: