Incontinence: Myths Exposed, And Helpful Tips
What exactly is incontinence?
Incontinence is an apparent loss of the body's ability to
control fecal or urinal activity. People suffering from fecal
incontinence are unable to control bowel movements, and are
unable to keep the stool from involuntary escaping from their
anus or urine drawing involuntarily from their bladder.
Likewise, people suffering from urinary incontinence are unable
to control the flow of urine from their bladder. This results to
unexpected wetting and may expose one to ridicule.
Perhaps, as you reach old age, the idea of losing your control
over urination, and defecation is starting to grow. It is a fact
that the body loses its biological jurisdiction which allows
control over bowel and urological movements upon reaching the
post retirement stage. Research shows, however, that people of
all ages suffer from this discomforting condition. It was
previously thought that only unhealthy and older individuals,
usually in the retirement age, are only afflicted with this
condition, but that is just a myth. Incontinence can affect
people their entire lives, or as young as 40. With extensive
study, the facts and figures about incontinence are starting to
unveil, providing more and probable causes on its onset,
accompanying symptoms, and progression of incontinence, with
fecal incontinence is the most frequent problem
Myths:
- This can't happen to me
Approximately 2.2 to 6.9 percent of the general population is
afflicted with this unmanageable fecal and urological status.
The United States records 5.5 percent of the population is
affected by incontinence.
- Incontinence only affects men
Although men constitute a greater number of individuals
suffering from fecal incontinence, patients with urinary
incontinence are mostly women
- Incontinence only affects the elderly
In hospitals, 45 to 47 percent of patients suffer symptoms
related to at least one form of incontinence, regardless of
their age. Incontinence can affect anyone, regardless of age,
from a variety of causes.
What causes incontinence?
-Damage or injury to the sphincter (a part of the intestine).
-Giving birth (obstetrical trauma) -Frequent or habitual urinary
retention -Constipation -Dehydration -Delirium -Urinary
infection -Muscular atrophy -Normal sexual activity
Tips on living with incontinence:
People with this condition may find the following tips helpful
in the management of incontinence. It should be noted that the
advice of a medical professional is critical in the proper
management of incontinence.
1. Check your diet
Some foodstuffs trigger and activate uncontrolled bowel or
urinary activity. Food high in fat, and containing sugar that is
poorly digested by the intestine causes intestinal discomfort
and cramps thereby causing induced diarrhea or uncontrolled
bowel and urine leak.
Some induces excessive gas production upon digestion causing a
small amount of bowel to pass through the anus involuntarily
(flatus) with accompanying fecal matter in it and urine flow.
2. Check your medications
Other forms of incontinence are caused either by a certain
medical infirmity or a result of taking specific medication for
a certain illness.
Diuretic drugs, and sedatives for example, may cause temporary
urinary incontinence. Tranquilizers may also relax the muscles
making up the entire bladder and may cause uncontrolled
urination.
3. Stay hydrated
Certain behaviors account for the onset of urinary incontinence.
People exhibiting early symptoms of this condition should not be
withheld from taking fluids for the purpose of controlling
wetting. This action contradicts the purpose of treating the
disorder dehydration gives microorganisms the chance to multiply
along the length of the canal where urine passes through, and
out to the sex organ's opening. If this happens, various urinary
tract infections will result and may cause the probability of
bladder infection.
4. Avoid psychological Stress
Incontinence is mostly seen for people who are mentally excited.
This mental stimulation is brought about by various activities
such as laughing, anger, or sudden surprise.
5. Never hold your urine for too long
Holding your urine too long until it becomes unbearable can
cause incontinence.
6. Expect the unexpected
Planning ahead of time will save you from the process. If you
are suffering from frequent episodes of bowel or urinary
incontinence, you may want to keep a portable commode or urinal
to serve you whenever it strikes.
7. Get a physical regularly
The help of a professional medical doctor provides you with
vital information and recommendations in the evaluation of your
condition.
While the above tips are useful for the general population, the
range of severity of this condition may vary from person to
person and treatment with the help of a medical expert is
essential to tailor individualize treatment.