Adult Incontinence: What You Should Know?

Adult incontinence is one of the most prevalent medical problems in modern society, albeit the most overlooked. Although bladder control problems are the most common, it covers both faecal and urinary incontinence. According to the National Association for Continence, over 25 million adult Americans are suffering from some form of urinary incontinence. The National Association for Incontinence says one in five adults over 40 suffer from OAB (overactive bladder) or recurring symptoms of urgency and frequency. A similar report says over 17 million adults in the United States have daily urinary incontinence, which shows the gravity of the matter.  

According to medical experts, the lack of information about adult incontinence is one of the biggest problems. This means millions of people suffer in silence and cannot access information to help them get treatment. The stigma that comes with the loss of body control causes many adults to suffer stress and other mental problems due to incontinence. If you suffer from any form of incontinence or you have someone under your care, it is important to get as much information about the problem as possible. This will help you get the best treatment and learn how to manage the problem using products such as adult diapers for men. This article offers insight into adult incontinence to help you get started.

Adult Incontinence in Brief

In the simplest definition, incontinence refers to an involuntary loss of urine or faecal matter due to the loss of control of the bladder or bowel. This problem has existed for ages. However, due to its embarrassing nature, everyone keeps it a well-guarded secret. This condition is rarely discussed and can leave anyone suffering from urinary or faecal incontinence feeling as if they are alone in the world. For a better understanding of incontinence in adults, it is imperative to look at symptoms, causes, and treatment. Let’s take a look:

Symptoms of Adult Incontinence

If you suffer from an involuntary leak of urine, it is advisable to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis. The main symptoms that can point to incontinence are:

1. Urge incontinence: If you always experience a sudden urge to urinate followed by a sudden release from the bladder, you should consult your doctor.
2. Overflow incontinence: Many people experience constant dripping of urine during the day and at night. This means that the bladder does not empty itself. Your doctor would be the person to give you the best diagnosis to identify the underlying issue.
3. Stress incontinence: If you experience an involuntary loss of urine when sneezing, coughing, laughing, exercising or lifting heavy stuff, you need to see your doctor.
4. Incontinence due to a physical/mental condition: Functional incontinence occurs when a physical or mental impairment makes it impossible for you to get to the washroom in time. Conditions such as arthritis and dementia cause this type of incontinence, and you may not only need a solution to manage incontinence but a solution to the problem that causes these situations to arise as well.

There are cases where these symptoms come about due to a combination of factors. For instance, a woman who has given birth can experience stress and urge incontinence due to hormonal and physical changes in the body.

Causes

They say you can only manage what you know. In this case, it is important to understand the underlying problem to treat incontinence. Adult incontinence is a symptom of another problem. This makes getting a proper diagnosis crucial to the treatment and management of the problem. These are some of the main causes of bowel and bladder control issues:

1. Pregnancy: Physical and hormonal changes during pregnancy affect the performance of the bladder and can lead to incontinence.
2. Vaginal delivery: During childbirth, bladder muscles and nerves weaken due to physical changes that take place around the pelvic area. A dropped (prolapsed) pelvic floor pushes the bladder and other organs away from their usual position. This can lead to incontinence.
3. Nerve disorders: Stroke, Multiple sclerosis, arthritis, and Parkinson’s disease are just a few of the medical conditions that affect nerve functioning. This means that most body parts, including the bladder, do not perform optimally leading to problems such as incontinence.
4. Old age: With age, the bladder’s capacity to hold urine decreases and the effectiveness of nerves reduces, leading to urge incontinence.
5. Prostate problems: An enlarged prostate in older men will affect bladder function and can lead to incontinence. In the case of prostate cancer, incontinence is a side effect of the intensive treatment required to cure cancer.
6. Menopause in women: Less production of estrogen after menopause affects the performance of the bladder and urethra tissues and can lead to incontinence.

While these are the main causes of incontinence, other risk factors can cause adult incontinence. Women are at a higher risk of adult incontinence due to problems associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Being obese or overweight is also a risk factor, and doctors also include smoking among the risk factors of adult incontinence. A family history of incontinence also increases the risk of suffering from the same problem.

Diagnosis And Treatment 

If you have noticed symptoms of urinary or faecal incontinence, you need to talk to your doctor immediately. Diagnosis includes an evaluation of your medical history, urinalysis, bladder, diary, and post-void residual measurement. There is a wide range of treatment options for adult incontinence. They include bladder training, fluid and diet management, pelvic floor muscle exercises, electrical stimulation, Medical devices, Interventional therapies, and surgical procedures.

Using Adult Diapers To Manage Adult Incontinence

Adult incontinence products including adult diapers for men have emerged as the most popular technique for treating and managing incontinence. Many people suffering from adult incontinence now live comfortably by using the best incontinence protection available on the market. These high-absorbent diapers are discreet, comfortable and skin-friendly, and come with features such as odour control and breathable panels to increase their effectiveness.

If you lead an active lifestyle, there is no reason to allow bowel or bladder control issues to hold you back. With the best adult incontinence protection, you can now continue with your life normally. If you suffer from adult incontinence or you have someone under your care who is afflicted, learning about this medical problem helps make the right choices to manage it properly. You can now get control of your life by using the best