What Is Double Incontinence

Many people experience incontinence at some point in their life, but what about those who have it twice? Yes, you read that right - there are people out there who suffer from double incontinence. For these unfortunate individuals, urinary and faecal incontinence go hand-in-hand.

This article is meant to help anyone with double incontinence better understand this condition and provide tips on living a more comfortable life. Faecal continence has the most significant impact on the quality of life for those with this rare type of incontinence. So if you're reading this article and find yourself nodding your head in agreement, don't panic! You're not alone.

What is double incontinence?
Double incontinence occurs when the bladder, or another part of the urinary system, leaks urine and stool. Though double incontinence is much more common in women, it can occur in both sexes. However, more research needs to be done to determine how many men have it.

If you have double incontinence and you think that you're alone, know that there may be others out there who experience it too. There are also support groups for those with this condition to help them cope and understand their symptoms (2).

Who has it?
The symptoms of double incontinence are:
Urinary incontinence (urine leaks out of the bladder) Fecal incontinence(faeces leaks out of the anus or from the rectum) Loss of control over stool loss, resulting in leaking or sudden episodes that cannot be stopped. Difficulty having a bowel movement.

Urinary incontinence is most common for those with double incontinence. In fact, according to a recent study in the Journal of Urology, nearly half (46%) of those with double incontinence had urinary incontinence. Furthermore, there were more women than men who were experiencing urinary incontinence. The study also found no significant differences in the level of urinary incontinence between men and women who have double incontinence. This is interesting as some studies find differences between men and women, so there appears to be a discrepancy.

For those with faecal incontinence, the problem involves difficulty having a bowel movement. These individuals may find that the stool comes out when they cough or sneeze. For many who experience double incontinence, rectal leakage occurs in addition to urinary leakage. However, these symptoms of faecal incontinence tend to occur less frequently than other incontinence symptoms.

Some have double incontinence who don't have any urinary issues. There are those with faecal incontinence only. For example, a woman may have bowel movements and get stool on herself during sudden episodes. She would not have difficulty controlling her urine; she has difficulty controlling her stool.

What is the cause?
Urinary incontinence is the most common of all bowel incontinence, so it's no surprise that it can contribute to double incontinence too. The bladder may be too weak to control urine flow and thus leads to leakage in this area.

Additionally, there may be a problem with the bladder or other urinary system parts. When you urinate, you shouldn't feel any pain or a noticeable feeling similar to using the bathroom. You may start to leak urine if you don't make it to the toilet in time or exert yourself during your daily activities. This can lead to faecal incontinence as well in some cases. If your bowels are not emptying properly, stool leakage is also possible.

Many people with double incontinence have an overactive bladder and constipation that leads to symptoms of bowel incontinence. Overactive bladder symptoms include sudden urges to urinate, which may occur every hour or two. You may even find yourself running to the bathroom at work or in school without notice.

Why is it associated with constipation? Constipation can be caused by several factors, including Aging, Lack of fibre, and lower stomach acid levels.

The anal and rectal muscles tend to weaken with age, making it difficult to have bowel movements. The gut lining also weakens over time, causing stool leakage and faecal incontinence. The lower levels of stomach acid also affect bowel movements by slowing them down. This can lead to constipation.

In addition, constipation can be worsened by medical problems such as Prostate gland or bladder cancer, Bowel obstruction, Bowel disease Neuropathy (nerve damage), Parkinson's disease, Multiple sclerosis, Injuries to the pelvic area, Spinal cord injuries, Hormonal changes, Severe lower back pain.

Studies have found links between constipation and faecal incontinence. One study showed that people who had faecal incontinence for at least 12 months were more likely to exhibit constipation than those who didn't have any symptoms of faecal incontinence. It was also found that constipation was more prevalent among those with neurological diagnoses than those without.

It's important to note that people with double incontinence are not only more likely to have constipation-related symptoms, but they're also more likely to be in poor health than the rest of the population. According to one study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, those with double incontinence were 60% more likely to have heart disease, nearly twice as likely to have diabetes or high cholesterol, and four times as likely to have arthritis or a joint disorder (5). Also, they're three times as likely as ordinary people to report having difficulty eating and staying correctly nourished.