Incontinence in Seniors and How to Control It

Urinary incontinence is an issue plaguing millions of Americans each year, particularly those over the age of 40. Sufferers of urinary incontinence find it difficult to wait for prolonged periods between bathroom breaks, which can cause disruption in their everyday routine. You may be experiencing several symptoms of incontinence, such as an urgency to use the bathroom or an increased frequency in which you need to urinate. An overactive bladder is the most common symptom of incontinence in seniors and can be addressed accordingly to prevent further discomfort.

While it may seem as though nothing can be done to manage your urinary incontinence, there are several ways you can receive medical assistance to reduce or eliminate your symptoms. You do not have to accept incontinence as a normal part of your routine as it is seen as an abnormal occurrence in the eyes of healthcare professionals. 

Learn the Causes and Symptoms of Incontinence in Seniors

If you are unsure of whether you are suffering from incontinence, there are several key symptoms you can watch out for to help you determine what is happening. There are a few different types of incontinence and each presents different symptoms in the affected individual. The primary types of urinary incontinence include:

• Urge incontinence, or overactive bladder, is the most common form of incontinence. Individuals who experience urge incontinence feel an overwhelming urgency to urinate and often lose their urine before they can safely and quickly enter a bathroom. This form of incontinence is caused by involuntary contractions of your bladder that you cannot control. Typically, the primary causes behind urge incontinence include dementia, Alzheimer’s, strokes, and multiple sclerosis. Those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s or have recently suffered injuries may be susceptible to developing urge incontinence as well. For women, this form of incontinence may be prompted by pelvic floor atrophy or constipation. For men, constipation or prostate enlargement can lead to urge incontinence symptoms.
• Stress incontinence results in abdominal pressure that may be aggravated by sneezing, coughing, or laughing. Other common activities such as walking up the stairs or lifting something off the ground can result in stress incontinence induced pressure. As you age, your bladder becomes weaker and is less capable of functioning properly. When you have stress incontinence you may find yourself losing urine during these common activities or when you stand up from a sitting position. For women, this form of incontinence may develop due to pregnancy or childbirth or may stem from a lack of estrogen after you have gone through menopause. For men, this form of incontinence is commonly developed when you have prostate cancer surgery or prostate cancer treatment.
• Overflow incontinence is rare in comparison to other commonly diagnosed incontinence issues. Overflow incontinence occurs when your bladder does not empty completely after you urinate. You may feel a constant need to urinate when suffering form overflow incontinence due to the remaining amount of urine still held in your bladder after you have gone to the bathroom. Common causes for overflow incontinence include obstructions in your urinary tract system or by a weakened bladder.

Other forms of incontinence include functional incontinence and mixed incontinence. If you are suffering from functional incontinence you may experience the occasional accident when you are attempting to urinate due to slowed motor functions. Mixed incontinence symptoms include a combination of symptoms from two or more of the primary incontinence types. 

Learn About Methods for Controlling Bladder Leaks

If you are experiencing the symptoms of urinary incontinence there are several steps you can take to help control your bladder and the leaks that may occur. Some of the most commonly used methods for controlling bladder leaks include:

• Medication.
• Behavioral therapy.
• Surgery.
• Medical devices.

The course of action alters from one individual to another as the severity of your symptoms and the cause of your incontinence are unique. Surgical treatment is often used in the most extreme cases, so you may only need a combination of medication and therapy to overcome your incontinence. Typically, your healthcare professional suggests behavioral therapy as the first method for bladder control as you can learn helpful tips during these therapy sessions. 

In behavioral therapy, you can potentially cure your incontinence by learning how to schedule bathroom breaks more efficiently throughout the day and you can learn how to train your bladder to avoid leaks. Bladder training includes pelvic floor muscle exercises and fluid management to ensure you are preventing accidents from occurring both presently and into the future. 

How to Manage Urinary Incontinence

To properly manage your urinary incontinence, you may need to utilize prescribed medications to ensure you are targeting your symptoms effectively. There are three primary medications used to assist individuals who are suffering from urinary incontinence, including antibiotics, hormone replacement medications, and antispasmodic or anticholinergic drugs. 

If you are experiencing symptoms from urge incontinence, your doctor may recommend an antispasmodic or anticholinergic drug to help you manage more easily. For post-menopausal women who are trying to manage their urinary incontinence, a hormone replacement medication such as vaginal creams or vaginal patches can help, as can estrogen therapy. When you are using hormone replacement medication post-menopause, you are lessening the chances of experiencing atrophy.

If your doctor has determined your urinary incontinence is caused by a urinary tract infection, he or she may prescribe antibiotics to help combat this issue. Antibiotics are effective in reducing symptoms in men who are experiencing incontinence as the result of an inflamed prostrate gland as well. 

In more advanced cases, the need for the insertion of a medical device may be necessary to help manage your incontinence symptoms. Your healthcare provider can walk you through the options available to you to ensure you are selecting the best device. Commonly, urethral inserts and pessary devices are used to assist women who are experiencing urinary incontinence in their senior years. If you find that medication, devices, and therapy are unsuccessful in eliminating your incontinence symptoms, you may need to resort to surgery to cure your ailment. Both women and men can opt to have an artificial urinary sphincter implanted to aid in their recovery from incontinence. 

Related Article: Learn About Requirements for Medicare

Share: