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Incontinence,
the loss of bladder or bowel control, affects more than a large number
of Americans. Embarrassment, frustration, fear, and the social stigma
of talking about elimination stops many people from seeking help for
incontinence. People often fail to seek information and obtain immediate
medical help for the problem, or the above reasons and the belief that
it can’t be helped, they and their caregivers may miss opportunities
for an early assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Incontinence can
be treated, managed, and cured.
This condition
impacts:
•
More than 33 million men and women.
• More than half of all seniors in long-term care institutions.
• More women than men.
Types, causes,
and treatment of urinary incontinence in adults
There are
four main types of urinary incontinence:
• Urge incontinence
• Stress incontinence
• Overflow incontinence
• Functional incontinence
Mixed incontinence
occurs when a person has two or more types or urinary incontinence.
Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence is the loss of significant amounts of urine when a
person feels a sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate but cannot get
to the toilet in time. The person may also experience discomfort and
an urgency to urinate with only a small amount of urine in the bladder.
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence is the involuntary loss of small amounts of urine
when a person sneezes, coughs, laughs, bends, lifts heavy objects, exercises
or performs other physical activities that increase the pressure on
the bladder and pelvis. Stress incontinence occurs mostly in women.
It is also present in about one third of all incontinent seniors.
Overflow
Incontinence
Overflow incontinence occurs when urine leaks frequently, even though
the person feels no urge to urinate.
Functional
Incontinence
Functional incontinence is incontinence that has no physiological basis.
It is usually diagnosed by excluding all other causes. Functional incontinence
accounts for 25% or more incontinent residents of long-term care institutions.
Causes of
Urinary Incontinence may arise from
• Anxiety
• Obstruction of the bladder
• Cold and cough medication
• Constipation
• Neurological disorders
• Illness
• Stroke
• Medical conditions, such as enlarged prostate gland or collapsed
uterus
• Surgery
• Physical and cognitive function losses
• Changes in bladder or bowel habits
• High Blood Pressure drugs
• Caffeine, diuretics, coffee, tea, beer, colas, cocoa, and soft
drinks
• Diabetic and heart medications
• Infections of the bowel or urinary system
• Cysts
• Parkinson’s
• Alzheimer’s
• Sedatives and tranquilizers
• Antihistamines
• Antidepressants
• SSRs such as Prozac and Zoloft
• Phenothiazines
• Opiates
• Antispasmodics
• Obesity
Treatments
• Medication, injections, or surgical operations
• Behavioral treatments, such as bladder training/retraining,
and pelvic muscle exercises
• Biofeedback/Neurofeedback
• Dietary changes
• Continence management aids
We have
had very good success treating Incontinence with Pelvic Floor Strengthening,
Neurofeedback, and Hemoencephalography.
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