Loss of Bladder control in Elderly
Introduction
Shazia, a 61-year-old female, has compromised bladder control for the past 3 months. Now she uses adult diaper pads- extra thick ones. The attached social stigma is embarrassing, but she is learning to live with this incontinence bladder. She has to carry extra clothes and lots of clean-up clothes. Stories and even personal experiences like these pull elders to look for aid quietly sitting at home. Wellness Self-test kits help people like her.
1 in 3 older women and 1 in 12 older men have lower urinary tract symptoms that can include loss of bladder control/urinary incontinence. Incontinence is more than inconvenient; it can be life-altering, leading to early retirement or social withdrawal, depression, and loss of independent function.
1 in 3 older women and 1 in 12 older men have lower urinary tract symptoms that can include loss of bladder control/urinary incontinence. Incontinence is more than inconvenient; it can be life-altering, leading to early retirement or social withdrawal, depression, and loss of independent function.
What happens in the body to cause bladder control problems?
During urination, muscles in the bladder tighten to move urine into the tube-shaped urethra. At the same time, the muscles around the urethra relax and let the urine pass out of the body. When the muscles in and around the bladder don’t work the way they should, urine can leak, resulting in urinary incontinence.
Urinary incontinence (UI) is the accidental leakage of urine. There are many kinds of UI, each characterized by different symptoms and reasons behind the leakage.
>> Stress incontinence occurs when actions like coughing, sneezing or lifting a heavy object put pressure on the bladder and cause urine to leak.
>> Urge incontinence occurs when a person experiences a sudden, strong urge to urinate. This type of UI is characterized by difficulty getting to the bathroom in time.
>> Overflow incontinence occurs when a person urges to urinate but can only pass small amounts of urine each time. Because the bladder does not empty fully, urine accumulates and leaks consistently later.
However, senior incontinence is not unavoidable as people age. While many older individuals do find that their bladders may be “weak,” causing leaks, sometimes the problem has a quick and easy solution.
Urinary incontinence (UI) is the accidental leakage of urine. There are many kinds of UI, each characterized by different symptoms and reasons behind the leakage.
>> Stress incontinence occurs when actions like coughing, sneezing or lifting a heavy object put pressure on the bladder and cause urine to leak.
>> Urge incontinence occurs when a person experiences a sudden, strong urge to urinate. This type of UI is characterized by difficulty getting to the bathroom in time.
>> Overflow incontinence occurs when a person urges to urinate but can only pass small amounts of urine each time. Because the bladder does not empty fully, urine accumulates and leaks consistently later.
However, senior incontinence is not unavoidable as people age. While many older individuals do find that their bladders may be “weak,” causing leaks, sometimes the problem has a quick and easy solution.
Below are just a few bladder leakage problems that can be treated:
1) Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
UTIs, otherwise known as bladder infections, lead to an overwhelming need to pass urine. If a senior presents with sudden urinary incontinence when this was not a difficulty before, check for additional signs that suggest a UTI, such as:
1) Strong smelling urine
2) Cloudy urine, or blood in the urine
3) Fever
4) Complaints of pain when urinating
5) Complaints of pressure or pain in the lower stomach region
6) Night sweats
If you think your loved one may have a UTI, get it home tested with the Neodocs UTI kit and get accurate results from the smartphone Neodocs app. Once the infection has been treated, the incontinence should be resolved or lessened.
2) Loss of mobility
As mobility reduces, incontinence can develop into an issue. The need to urinate may come on suddenly and the older person may not be able to get to the bathroom fast enough.
Medications
Certain drugs, boost the level of urine produced, triggering an increased urge to urinate. If your loved one is on a medication that boosts urine production, it is important to keep this in mind when the person has to leave home or is not close to a readily available bathroom.
UTIs, otherwise known as bladder infections, lead to an overwhelming need to pass urine. If a senior presents with sudden urinary incontinence when this was not a difficulty before, check for additional signs that suggest a UTI, such as:
1) Strong smelling urine
2) Cloudy urine, or blood in the urine
3) Fever
4) Complaints of pain when urinating
5) Complaints of pressure or pain in the lower stomach region
6) Night sweats
If you think your loved one may have a UTI, get it home tested with the Neodocs UTI kit and get accurate results from the smartphone Neodocs app. Once the infection has been treated, the incontinence should be resolved or lessened.
2) Loss of mobility
As mobility reduces, incontinence can develop into an issue. The need to urinate may come on suddenly and the older person may not be able to get to the bathroom fast enough.
Medications
Certain drugs, boost the level of urine produced, triggering an increased urge to urinate. If your loved one is on a medication that boosts urine production, it is important to keep this in mind when the person has to leave home or is not close to a readily available bathroom.
How to manage day-to-day life with bladder control issues?
1) Incontinence bladder control pads include stand-alone pads that you can wear in your existing underwear for light to moderate incontinence protection. Bladder Control Pads and Pant Liners are available for men and women and also have unisex designs.
2) Another popular item is the Booster Pads or Diaper Liners, which are used to "double up" the absorbency of your adult disposable briefs or absorbent protective underwear - providing additional incontinence protection.
2) Another popular item is the Booster Pads or Diaper Liners, which are used to "double up" the absorbency of your adult disposable briefs or absorbent protective underwear - providing additional incontinence protection.
If adult diapers are the answer, how can you make the best of it for your parents/grandparents?
1) Get it changed timely. To stay comfortable and odor-free, change them as soon as possible after leakage occurs.
2) Keep Home test kits handy: To monitor their general wellness and to rule out any episodes of UTI, get the Neodocs Wellness Kit and the Neodocs Elderly Care Kit. It facilitates at-home urine testing with accurate results.
3) Promote the use of a barrier ointment or lotion. This helps avoid skin changes that can occur from regular exposure to urine.
4) Get them to wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes. This helps lessen worry about others noticing what you’re wearing underneath.
5) Promote wearing darker clothing if they’re going out. This can help hide any leaks that occur.
When is incontinence a sign of other, more serious problems? Age-related incontinence is gradual and worsens slowly over time. Sudden incontinence with heavy leakage may mean something else is going on. An infection sometimes causes incontinence, or if you have other medical problems as well, this can mean a more significant neurological issue is at work
Explore the NEODOCS website or download the NEODOCS app. We will make sure you get a comfortable and high-quality health check-up from the comfort of your home.
2) Keep Home test kits handy: To monitor their general wellness and to rule out any episodes of UTI, get the Neodocs Wellness Kit and the Neodocs Elderly Care Kit. It facilitates at-home urine testing with accurate results.
3) Promote the use of a barrier ointment or lotion. This helps avoid skin changes that can occur from regular exposure to urine.
4) Get them to wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothes. This helps lessen worry about others noticing what you’re wearing underneath.
5) Promote wearing darker clothing if they’re going out. This can help hide any leaks that occur.
When is incontinence a sign of other, more serious problems? Age-related incontinence is gradual and worsens slowly over time. Sudden incontinence with heavy leakage may mean something else is going on. An infection sometimes causes incontinence, or if you have other medical problems as well, this can mean a more significant neurological issue is at work
Explore the NEODOCS website or download the NEODOCS app. We will make sure you get a comfortable and high-quality health check-up from the comfort of your home.