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Older Adults are Encouraged to Talk About Incontinence
by Jane Hankenhof Curry, BS,
Gerontologist
Incontinence can be embarrassing and difficult
to discuss. The stigma associated with bladder control issues has
caused it to remain a "taboo subject". Knowing the facts about
incontinence can eliminate the stigma and improve the quality of life.
Incontinence is a medical condition. It is "not a normal part of aging"
nor is it a disease. Bladder control issues are estimated to
affect one in three elderly persons, or 10 million seniors. If left
untreated incontinence can lead to isolation, loss of freedom, and
unnecessary frustration.
If you or a loved one experience incontinence, it is essential for you
to communicate with a medical professional. Today's technological
advancements offer a variety of successful treatments and, for some,
even a cure. No longer does one have to worry about embarrassing odors
or leakage and individuals can continue with active lifestyle. A
myriad of solutions is available to enable independence, enhance
confidence, and improve the quality of life.
An assessment by a medical professional is the first step in determining
the type of incontinence you may be experiencing and the best method of
treatment to meet your individual needs. Your personal
physician may recommend that you see an urologist who specializes in
caring for individuals with urinary conditions for this assessment.
There are five common types of incontinence, which can be experienced
either separately or in a variety of combinations. Stress
incontinence is the leakage of a small amount of urine due to sudden
pressure on the bladder experienced when laughing, coughing, exercising,
or lifting a heavy object. Urge incontinence is a sudden "urge" to
urinate that is so strong that the bathroom cannot be reached in time.
Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder fills beyond capacity and
urine spills. Individuals may also experience the feeling of never
being able to empty the bladder. Reflex incontinence is an involuntary
urination without any sensation of a full bladder. It is possible
to be completely unaware of the need to urinate when this happens.
Functional incontinence can result from a surgery, restricted mobility,
environmental barriers, medications, or mental disorders.
Once the type, or combinations of types, of incontinence is determined
you are on the road to a successful treatment, cure or effective
management of the condition. Diet modification, behavioral
therapy, pelvic floor exercises, medications, supportive devices,
surgery, and disposable absorbent products may be determined by your
health care professional to best meet your individualized needs.
Behavioral therapies and pelvic muscle re-education have been found to
be low-risk techniques to decrease the frequency of urination in
individuals. Examples of techniques to strengthen weakened pelvic
floors are bladder retraining, biofeedback, vaginal weights, magnetic
therapy, and electrical stimulation. Women with stress or urge
incontinence, or the combination of both, have been found to benefit
from these techniques.
Drug therapy is another way to treat incontinence. Medications are
prescribed to correct problems with the bladder or its outlet muscles.
These medications may also be combined with behavioral or exercise
therapies. Television and print advertisements have made certain
brand names and the phrase "gotta go, gotta go" recognizable to many
women. Drug therapies are available to treat urge, stress, and
overflow incontinence.
Supportive devices such as pessaries or bladder neck support prostheses
can be placed inside the vagina to help support the bladder, uterus,
vagina or rectum in the event their normal placement has changed.
Childbirth, heavy lifting, straining during bowel movements, loss of
estrogen at menopause and gravity changes during aging may contribute to
vaginal muscle loss. Short term devices, such as plugs, block the
urethra and provide excellent bladder control on a temporary basis.
Surgery to restore the urethra and bladder to their normal position in
the pelvis may be the treatment of choice with the presence of certain
conditions or when other therapies have failed.
Disposable absorbent products are also an effective and convenient way
to manage incontinence. Today's superabsorbent technology
eliminates embarrassing odors, leakage, and skin breakdown.
Absorbent products come in a variety of sizes, styles, and absorbency
levels to meet each woman's individualized protection needs. Pads worn
in underwear, pull-on style protective underwear, undergarments, and
full briefs are all designed to address light, moderate or heavy levels
of incontinence. Identifying the type of incontinence coupled with
the amount of urine flow and mobility level will assist in determining
which product is right for you.
It is very important to note that not all disposable products are
created equal. Low performance products comprised of cotton fluff
or products manufactured for menstruation are not effective in the
management of incontinence. Tranquility's bladder control products
comprised of superabsorbent polymers offer the highest level of
performance and will quickly absorb and neutralize urine. High
performance products retain large volumes of urine, prevent leakage,
control bacterial growth, eliminate odor and improve the quality of
life. In addition, they also offer a cost-saving advantage.
If you are interested in learning more about incontinence and the impact
on older adults, there are many professional organizations, web sites,
support groups and educational materials to assist you in your quest.
The National Association for Continence (NAFC) is an organization
dedicated to improving the quality of life of people with incontinence.
They offer a resource guide filled with products and services for
incontinence. NAFC can be found on the web at
www.nafc.org or reached by phone at
1-800-BLADDER.
The Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging at
www.aoa.gov or the Eldercare Locator
at www.eldercare.gov provides
detailed information on issues and services related to senior's needs.
You may also wish to contact your local Area Agency on Aging or senior
center for materials regarding incontinence and older adults.
In addition, your health care professional, local library and internet
can also provide much more information on this very important issue.
Jane Hankenhof Curry, BS, Gerontologist is the
Education and Market Development Coordinator for Principle Business
Enterprises, Inc. of Dunbridge, Ohio. PBE is the manufacturer of Tranquility,
a full line of high performance incontinence products, and can be found
on the web at www.tranquilityproducts.com.
© 2010 Principle Business Enterprises, Inc.
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