What Is Incontinence? - Understanding Causes and Solutions
When you think about what causes incontinence, the first image that likely comes to mind is an older adult struggling to control their bladder or bowel. However, urinary and faecal incontinence can affect people of all ages, not just the elderly. In fact, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), over 15 million Americans deal with incontinence on any given day.
What Is Incontinence?
Incontinence refers to the inability to control the release of urine or stool. To fully understand what incontinence is, it’s important to know how both the urinary and digestive systems function.
- The urinary system includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder), and the urethra (the tube that expels urine from the body).
- The digestive system involves the mouth, oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine (including the colon), rectum, and anus.
These systems work together like an assembly line. When you eat, food travels from the mouth to the stomach, through the intestines, and finally exits the body. In a healthy body, muscles and sphincters relax and contract as needed. However, when someone has incontinence, these processes are disrupted, leading to urine or stool leakage.
Symptoms of Incontinence
Symptoms of incontinence can range from small leaks when sneezing or laughing, to more severe instances where uncontrollable leaking occurs. It can be uncomfortable and distressing, impacting day-to-day life.
Common Causes of Incontinence
There are several reasons why incontinence occurs. Some individuals are born with weak muscles and sphincters, while others develop these issues over time due to health conditions like diabetes. Studies show that three out of four people with diabetes will experience incontinence at some point in their lives.
Incontinence is also more prevalent among:
- Men compared to women
- Adults over 65 years old
Beyond muscle weakness, incontinence can also be triggered by bladder infections or gastrointestinal infections. In some cases, it’s linked to injury, surgery, stroke, or brain injuries such as concussions. Scar tissue from injuries or surgeries may block the urethra, preventing urine from leaving the body properly.
Treating Incontinence
Fortunately, incontinence is not always an uncontrollable condition. Several treatments and management options are available depending on the underlying cause. Many individuals successfully manage their symptoms with lifestyle changes, exercises, medications, or incontinence products like absorbent pads.
Types of Incontinence
Incontinence is generally classified based on the system it affects:
- Urinary incontinence: Caused by the bladder or muscles in the urinary system not functioning correctly.
- Gastrointestinal (GI) incontinence: Occurs when the bladder or bowels don’t relax properly as waste moves through the digestive tract.
Some less common types of incontinence include conditions like septic shock and Meniere’s disease. Septic shock is a serious condition resulting from an infection in the bloodstream that impairs the kidneys’ ability to function. Meniere’s disease affects the inner ear and can cause balance issues, tinnitus, and hearing problems.
Managing Incontinence with Novamed Pads
At Novamed Pads, we provide a wide range of incontinence solutions tailored to meet your needs. Whether you need light absorbency for minor leaks or higher absorbency for more severe cases, we offer discreet and effective options to help you manage your symptoms. Explore our full range of incontinence products here.
Bladder and bowel incontinence may be caused by conditions which can be treated medically. Please consult your physician for medical advice and guidance.
