Bladder Control and Urinary Incontinence

Bladder Control and Urinary Incontinence. Mary Ann tolentino Bsn 1A.

What is Urinary Incontinence?. Do you wet yourself when you cough, sneeze or laugh? Have you had continuous dribbling of pee because your bladder did not empty completely? These are possible symptoms of urinary incontinence – which refers to an unwanted and accidental leakage of urine caused by an inability to control the bladder..

Causes of urinary incontinence in the elderly. Age and gender are two risk factors. Urinary incontinence is more common in older adults, especially among women who have experienced pregnancy, childbirth or menopause. Old age- As we age, the bladder becomes either weaker or overactive. The pelvic floor muscles also get weaker, especially in women who have borne children. When the bladder and these muscles are not functioning normally, they may relax without warning and cause urine to leak..

Underlying medical conditions - S ome elderly patients suffer from medical conditions which damage nerves that control the bladder. Examples include Diabetes mellitus, stroke, Parkinson's disease and other conditions that affect the brain or nerves. There are also other issues that can affect an elderly's mobility such as arthritis or frailty, which make it difficult for them to get to the toilet in time. Constipation – T he elderly may face difficulties with chewing and swallowing, and thus avoid fibre-rich diet such as fruits and vegetables. Some elderly also do not drink sufficient water because of the inconvenience of having to visit the toilet too often. These can lead to constipation. When the bowel is too full because of constipation, it puts pressure on the bladder and can affect the pelvic floor muscles, causing involuntary urine leakage..

Urinary tract infection - Urinary incontinence can be a symptom of urinary tract infections, which the elderly are more prone to. Enlargement of the prostate gland (for men) The prostate gland is located just below the bladder in men. An enlarged prostate, which is a common condition in elderly men, may put pressure on the urethra (which carries urine out of the body) and block the natural flow of urine..

Tips for the Elderly on how to cope with Urinary Incontinence.

Avoid or limit beverages that encourages urination - Drinks that contain alcohol or caffeine such as coffee and tea are diuretics, which increase the production of urine. Try to cut down on these but ensure that you drink sufficient plain water to stay hydrated. Maintain a healthy weight - When you are overweight, fatty tissue may exert pressure on the bladder, weaken your pelvic floor muscles and cause urinary incontinence. Aim for a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise..

Use urinary incontinence products - There are incontinence products, such as disposable underwear and adult diapers that come with an absorbent layer. Available at pharmacies, these products can help with odour control and keep you dry and comfortable. Quit smoking (if you haven’t) - Smoking is a risk factor of urinary incontinence. Smoker's cough, which develops in long-term smokers, also strains your pelvic floor muscles, increasing the risks of a leak..

Bladder training for Urinary Incontinence. Bladder training is a way of learning to manage urinary incontinence. It helps you change your urination habits. It’s generally used for stress incontinence or urge incontinence. Stress incontinence is when urine leaks because of sudden pressure on your lower stomach muscles. This could be when you cough, laugh, lift something, or exercise. Urge incontinence is when the need to urinate comes on so fast that you can’t get to a toilet in time. Bladder training can also be used for a combination of the 2 types (called mixed incontinence)..

Goal of Bladder Training. Lengthening the amount of time between bathroom trips. Increasing the amount of urine your bladder can hold. Improving your control over the urge to urinate..

Bladder training methods. Kegel exercises: These are exercises that help strengthen the muscles you use to stop the flow of urine. They can be done anywhere, anytime. They were designed for women, but they can also help men with urinary incontinence..

Benefits of Kegel Exercise for Women For Information, Visit: www.epainassist.com Assis Pelvic Floor Bladder om agna.

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Bladder training methods. Delayed urination: If you have urge incontinence, you can learn to put off urination when you feel an urge. Start by trying to hold your urine for 5 minutes every time you feel the urge to urinate. When it’s easy to wait 5 minutes, try to increase the time to 10 minutes. Continue to increase the amount of time until you’re urinating every 3 to 4 hours. When you feel the urge to urinate before your time is up, you can try relaxation techniques. Breathe slowly and deeply. Concentrate on your breathing until the urge goes away. Kegel exercises may also help control urges..

Bladder training methods. Scheduled bathroom trips: Some people control their incontinence by going to the bathroom on a schedule. This means that you go to the bathroom at set times, whether you feel the urge or not. For example, you might start by going to the bathroom every hour. Then gradually increase the time until you find a schedule that works for you..

Timeframe for results. Keep in mind it may take 3 to 12 weeks of bladder training to see results. During your training program, your doctor may have you keep track of the number of urine leaks you have each day. This will help you and your doctor see if bladder training is helping. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see immediate results or if you still experience some incontinence..

Things to consider. Medicines and medical devices. These can treat some types of urinary incontinence.This may be a good choice in some cases. Dietary changes. Your doctor may suggest you avoid foods that can irritate your bladder. These include alcohol, caffeine, foods high in acid (such as tomatoes or grapefruits), and spicy foods. Also, limit how much you drink before bedtime to help reduce nighttime incontinence. Lose weight if you’re overweight. Not only may this help your incontinence, it will improve your overall health..

Questions to ask your Doctor. What kind of urinary incontinence do I have? Will bladder training help me? What type of bladder training will work best for me? What should I write down in a diary to keep track of my urination? Is there anything else I should do to improve my urinary incontinence?.