Incontinence – Shying away is not a solution!

In general terms, urinary incontinence refers to an accidental or involuntary loss of urine from the bladder, though there are other types of incontinence as well. Urinary incontinence is further classified into many categories, which have been discussed in detail in our previous blog. The severity of this condition ranges anywhere from ‘a small leak’ to the complete loss of bladder control. There are a lot of assumptions and myths surrounding this condition such as:

• Incontinence is an illness – No, it is rather a chronic condition or symptom, affecting the emotional, psychological and social life of the person facing it.
• Urinary incontinence is just part of getting older – No, it affects anyone irrespective of their age and hence should not be neglected.
• There is no medical solution for the condition and would disappear on its own with time – No, incontinence can be treated and managed. And in many cases it can also be cured.

Many people who have urinary incontinence are afraid to do their day-to-day routine activities. It can keep people from enjoying life, since they do not want to be too far from the toilet fearing accidents. A common issue with people suffering from this condition is their fear and / or embarrassment to discuss their issues with their close ones or a medical practitioner. Also, you are not the only person to face this condition, rather there are a lot of people who are undergoing this condition on a daily basis. In an era where a new milestone or discovery is being made almost every day in the field of medicine and patient care, it is extremely important to step forward and approach a doctor, irrespective of your age and the duration of the condition, as ignoring it and suffering in silence would only worsen it further.

A full continence assessment carried out by a doctor will help you to improve your condition. Self-management, along with medical assistance is the key to live with this condition. Adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle, with regular exercise regimen and good toilet habits would all lead to improvements. People with incontinence adopt any / all of the below mentioned strategies to lead their lives:

• Containment – enables an incontinent episode to be managed by collecting urine via an absorbent product or collecting device.
• Concealment – aims that no one will be aware of an incontinent episode, even if it occurs in public.
• Restrictions – can relate to social activity, travel, physical activity, fluid intake and choice of occupation, as well as intimate relationships.
• Modifications – rather than restricting themselves, modifying strategies enable a person to participate in everyday living.

Hence, the key to leading a normal life with incontinence is by changing your lifestyle and incorporating the aids and assistance available, and not shying away or ignoring the condition! So just step out of our shells and face the situation with confidence!

Understanding Incontinence

Incontinence has emerged as a common day to day challenge regardless of age.. Many of us ignore and hesitate to discuss about the symptoms of Incontinence, having it too personal. The main symptom of urinary incontinence would be occasional, minor leaks of urine. Others wet their clothes frequently.

Types of incontinence

Researchers claim that Stress Urinary Incontinence(SUI) prevails to be the common cause followed by people with Urge/Overflow Incontinence driven by medical conditions like Infections, Diabetes, Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) and Prostatis.

Incontinence occurs when the muscles that control your urine flow don’t work properly/when the passage of the urethra has any blockages.

The urinary process

SUI is caused due to lack of proper functioning of bladder and pelvic muscle which could be addressed thorough exercises strengthening pelvic floor muscles. Whereas,Urge Incontinence may be caused due to bladder related problems, infection, nerve problems/injury, spine injury, BPH, Prostatis etc., and Overflow incontinence is predominantly because of blockages of the urethra due to tumors, urinary stones, scar tissue, swelling/scar tissues from infection,nerve problems/injury from diseases such as diabetes, alcoholism, parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis etc. Medications, including some anticonvulsants and antidepressants, that affect nerve signals to the bladder.

Whatever the causes of Incontinence may be, immediate emptying of bladder once the urge to urinate is felt, this would prevent further weakening of the bladder muscles. Incontinence is a topic to be discussed and easy to use continence care devices available in the market has to be explored to live a better, independent and healthy lifestyle. More importantly, it prevents worsening of conditions due to urinary retention followed by serious Urinary Tract Infections (UTI’s).