Seniors as well as those with physical disabilities, or patients recovering from surgery, often find it tough to reach the washroom and end up peeing midway. Be it outdoors or at home, they find themselves losing control over their bladder functions, thus facing embarrassing situations which can be well avoided if handled carefully. Yes, incontinence serves to be a nagging issue for those undergoing such situations, as well as their care givers in senior care homes, health care unit, hospitals, and at homes.
Urinary incontinence is a very common issue today not only in women but also in an increasing number of men. The inability to hold the urge to void urine or feces is the loose definition of incontinence. The reasons could be manifold. Age, hormonal disbalance, injury due to childbirth or otherwise; do remember that obesity or overactive bladders may be the root cause in women, while prostrate problems can render men incontinent. It is definitely possible to take control of your problem, and with adequate help, you can regain your normal activities. Try these tips to control incontinence, use adequate incontinence products to handle leakages and most importantly, do not hesitate to seek medical help when necessary.
Home grown tips to control adult incontinence
There are different ways to control mild to moderate incontinence by practicing the following tips. But it is a good idea to seek professional help if there is an underlying medical problem.
- Doing Kegels strengthens the pelvic floor muscles and stops the leaks that occur when you sneeze or laugh out loud. It is a simple exercise that can be done anywhere, anytime. It even enhances your sex life!
- Do not drink large amount of liquids at a single go. Sip slowly through the day. This will reduce the overwhelming urge to pee.
- Avoid drinking fizzy drinks, caffeine and alcohol; artificial sweeteners and tomatoes also worsen the problem; so should ideally be avoided.
- It sounds counter-productive, but it is a good idea to drink 6–8 cups of liquids through the day. This will keep constipation away which will stop excess pressure on your bladder.
- Keeping a diary that records the actions that trigger urges to pee helps you establish patterns that may help you change your lifestyle to keep you leak free. It may also identify any stressors that trigger incontinence, for example walking into the shopping mall.
- Losing weight, especially from around the tummy, helps in reducing pressure on the bladder and the pelvic muscles.
- By holding the urge to rush to the bathroom for a few minutes, you can train your bladder to hold urine for up to 4 hours. It is a slow but sure process that requires a lot of patience.
- It is advisable to avoid caffeine as it a diuretic. It also excites the brain and makes the urge to pee uncontrollable.
- It is a good idea to quit smoking as nicotine irritates the bladder and is a common cause of adult incontinence. Smokers also tend to cough more; this may put pressure on the urinary bladder and make the problem worse.
How a doctor can help mitigate incontinence
There may be some underlying medical causes to your problem. Most injuries or anatomical problems require surgical intervention, but there are small things that your doctor can identify and prescribe to mitigate your suffering.
- He may prescribe Vitamin D after testing you for deficiency. It has been proven that there is a strong connection between low Vitamin D levels and incontinence. Even low doses of this Vitamin can make a large difference.
- Some drugs that you need regularly might be the reason behind incontinence. Once these are identified your doctor may prescribe alternatives.
- Magnesium is a mineral that is required to make muscles and nerves function normally. Low levels of Magnesium may be the cause of incontinence. Magnesium may reduce the urinary bladder from spasming and allow it to empty completely. Prescribing adequate amounts of this mineral may ease the problem of incontinence.
- The doctor may advise using a pessary which is a ring-like device inserted into the neck of the vagina. This lifts the bladder neck and tightens it, much like a tampon, helping to reduce or even stop stress incontinence. This is especially helpful during exercise or coughing. A pessary might require an anti-fungal cream to avoid infections and stringent personal hygiene. A pessary may be used for up to a week on medical advice.
Alternative therapy to control adult incontinence
- Alternative therapies may be used as an adjunctive therapy to medical intervention. They have been found to be quite effective in controlling incontinence.
- Hypnotherapy is an important tool to relax the sufferer. The deep state of relaxation reached in this form of therapy has shown to ease bladder irritation, and reduce incontinence. The suggestive instructions of the hypnotist also helps calm the urge to urinate.
- Acupuncture has also been found to be quite effective in controlling incontinence. Acupuncturists treat not only the bladder and the kidneys but also organs like the lungs and the heart which may be the cause of incontinence in the first place. Research on this therapy with reference to incontinence has been quite encouraging.
- The use of bio feedback also helps a patient understand the electrical impulses generated by the body. The patient can comprehend (through these impulses) which muscles to use while practicing Kegels as well as how to improve the exercise mechanism.
How to contain incontinence during the treatment period
The methods discussed in this article work slowly but surely. They are not quick fire solutions to the problem. It is very important to use appropriate adult incontinence products to save the potential embarrassment of leaks and odor. Today, a vast range of adult diapers, pull ups, pads, and cloth diapers are available which can help deal with the issue of adult incontinence. Do not hesitate to use them while working towards a cure.
Conclusion
Adult incontinence is a common problem faced by millions of people. It is not very difficult to control the issue and help towards making the patient’s life as normal as possible. The patients should embrace the options available and work with their doctor or health care professional to help minimize the negative impact on their lives.
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