14 février 2022
What Is Urinary and Faecal Incontinence
It's not a question of who is at risk for incontinence, but instead of why we should care. First and foremost, we must realise incontinence is an issue that affects people of all ages, sexes and backgrounds. It doesn't discriminate, and severity can range from mild to moderate to severe depending on the person. Urinary or faecal incontinence can result in embarrassment or humiliation when clothing becomes wet in public, or embarrassing odours are emitted because soiled sheets are not changed promptly enough.
Incontinence may also be a symptom of a more serious underlying medical condition, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, spinal cord injury and dementia. Whatever the cause, there are generally two basic types of incontinence: stress incontinence and urge incontinence.
A sudden loss of bladder control characterises stress urinary incontinence. When you cough or sneeze, laugh or jump up suddenly from a chair, pressure on the bladder causes leakage. This type of problem is often caused by muscle weakness that support the pelvic organs (bladder and bowel), especially after childbirth or after prostate surgery or other procedures that affect nerve function to these muscles and connective tissue in the pelvis.
Urine leaks may result from a problem in the urethra, the tube that allows urine to leave the bladder and pass through the genitals. Doctors usually call this "urethral stricture". This is where the urethra narrows down to just a tiny opening. In some cases, it may also be caused by scarring or narrowing of the bladder neck, which leads to urine collecting in the lower part of the bladder, which makes it difficult to empty. An enlarged prostate gland or other problems in the kidneys can also cause stress urinary incontinence.
An essential treatment for stress urinary incontinence is "urge urinary incontinence". Symptoms of urge incontinence include feeling like you are about to urinate and then being unable to control the actual flow. In most cases, this consists of a sudden urge to urinate and a quick loss of bladder control.
The problem is usually a result of an overactive bladder. Usually, it occurs after you have had your urination interrupted or delayed for some reason, such as travelling or sitting on a long bus trip, or when you have consumed too much liquid or caffeine. After you start to urinate but are then blocked for some reason, this is often followed by the urgency in which urine leaks out before the person can get to an appropriate bathroom.
Once the problem is diagnosed and treated, you will be required to make frequent trips to the bathroom and ensure you empty your bladder. The treatments used for urge incontinence are similar to those used for stress incontinence.
Urine leaks may result from a problem in the urethra, the tube that allows urine to leave the bladder and pass through the genitals. Doctors usually call this "urethral stricture". This is where the urethra narrows down to just a tiny opening. In some cases, it may also be caused by scarring or narrowing of the bladder neck, which leads to urine collecting in the lower part of the bladder, which makes it difficult to empty. An enlarged prostate gland or other problems in the kidneys can also cause urge urinary incontinence.
Incontinence is of concern to both the sufferer and their family and friends, who are frequently affected by it. In fact, according to a recent study, approximately 60% of caregivers have been affected by incontinence. Incontinence can be an isolating experience for the individual who suffers from it and those around them. Many people may feel embarrassed or ashamed to discuss the problem with those close to them and therefore may isolate themselves and hide their symptoms. However, this is not a healthy approach.
Incontinence can be a problem with the quality of life and can affect people in various ways. It may cause physical, social or emotional issues, which may be challenging to treat. Urinary incontinence is rarely an aesthetic problem and has a limited impact on daily life. Many people will continue to function normally and can cope with the problem that makes them feel uncomfortable but does not prevent them from engaging in the activities they enjoy most.
Urinary incontinence can lead to feelings of embarrassment or humiliation when you have to rush off to the bathroom unexpectedly and unintentionally show your underwear when you are trying on clothes or bathing suits in a store dressing room.
There are other situations where you are in a controlled environment, such as at a doctor's office or hospital, and if it occurs at those times, it can be embarrassing enough to dismiss treatment. Occasionally the problem may be very sudden and make users feel anxious on social occasions.
Alternatively, the problem may make them feel angry with themselves, resulting in family and friends feeling frustrated or guilty that they cannot provide enough help to their loved ones. The situation may be highly frustrating for those who care for urinary incontinence sufferers, such as parents, spouses, and partners. Some of the symptoms that are difficult to diagnose can also add to frustrations.
Incontinence may also be a symptom of a more serious underlying medical condition, including stroke, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, spinal cord injury and dementia. Whatever the cause, there are generally two basic types of incontinence: stress incontinence and urge incontinence.
A sudden loss of bladder control characterises stress urinary incontinence. When you cough or sneeze, laugh or jump up suddenly from a chair, pressure on the bladder causes leakage. This type of problem is often caused by muscle weakness that support the pelvic organs (bladder and bowel), especially after childbirth or after prostate surgery or other procedures that affect nerve function to these muscles and connective tissue in the pelvis.
Urine leaks may result from a problem in the urethra, the tube that allows urine to leave the bladder and pass through the genitals. Doctors usually call this "urethral stricture". This is where the urethra narrows down to just a tiny opening. In some cases, it may also be caused by scarring or narrowing of the bladder neck, which leads to urine collecting in the lower part of the bladder, which makes it difficult to empty. An enlarged prostate gland or other problems in the kidneys can also cause stress urinary incontinence.
An essential treatment for stress urinary incontinence is "urge urinary incontinence". Symptoms of urge incontinence include feeling like you are about to urinate and then being unable to control the actual flow. In most cases, this consists of a sudden urge to urinate and a quick loss of bladder control.
The problem is usually a result of an overactive bladder. Usually, it occurs after you have had your urination interrupted or delayed for some reason, such as travelling or sitting on a long bus trip, or when you have consumed too much liquid or caffeine. After you start to urinate but are then blocked for some reason, this is often followed by the urgency in which urine leaks out before the person can get to an appropriate bathroom.
Once the problem is diagnosed and treated, you will be required to make frequent trips to the bathroom and ensure you empty your bladder. The treatments used for urge incontinence are similar to those used for stress incontinence.
Urine leaks may result from a problem in the urethra, the tube that allows urine to leave the bladder and pass through the genitals. Doctors usually call this "urethral stricture". This is where the urethra narrows down to just a tiny opening. In some cases, it may also be caused by scarring or narrowing of the bladder neck, which leads to urine collecting in the lower part of the bladder, which makes it difficult to empty. An enlarged prostate gland or other problems in the kidneys can also cause urge urinary incontinence.
Incontinence is of concern to both the sufferer and their family and friends, who are frequently affected by it. In fact, according to a recent study, approximately 60% of caregivers have been affected by incontinence. Incontinence can be an isolating experience for the individual who suffers from it and those around them. Many people may feel embarrassed or ashamed to discuss the problem with those close to them and therefore may isolate themselves and hide their symptoms. However, this is not a healthy approach.
Incontinence can be a problem with the quality of life and can affect people in various ways. It may cause physical, social or emotional issues, which may be challenging to treat. Urinary incontinence is rarely an aesthetic problem and has a limited impact on daily life. Many people will continue to function normally and can cope with the problem that makes them feel uncomfortable but does not prevent them from engaging in the activities they enjoy most.
Urinary incontinence can lead to feelings of embarrassment or humiliation when you have to rush off to the bathroom unexpectedly and unintentionally show your underwear when you are trying on clothes or bathing suits in a store dressing room.
There are other situations where you are in a controlled environment, such as at a doctor's office or hospital, and if it occurs at those times, it can be embarrassing enough to dismiss treatment. Occasionally the problem may be very sudden and make users feel anxious on social occasions.
Alternatively, the problem may make them feel angry with themselves, resulting in family and friends feeling frustrated or guilty that they cannot provide enough help to their loved ones. The situation may be highly frustrating for those who care for urinary incontinence sufferers, such as parents, spouses, and partners. Some of the symptoms that are difficult to diagnose can also add to frustrations.