Incontinence: Help with urinary incontinence

Submitted by Emma Hamilton on Sun, 14/03/2010 - 10:40pm

Incontinence can be managed with the right help.

Incontinence is a very common problem and can affect people of all ages. Unfortunately, many older people do not seek help for bladder problems. Incontinence can cause great distress and embarrassment for older people and their carers.

In this article:

What is incontinence?
What causes incontinence?
Signs of incontinence
Types of incontinence
Getting help with incontinence

What is incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is the term used to describe the involuntary loss of urine. People with incontinence cannot control when they urinate and wet themselves. Incontinence can result in damp or soaked clothes. If you are caring for someone with incontinence encourage them to see their doctor. In many cases incontinence can be treated.

What causes incontinence?

Incontinence is not a normal part of ageing. Older people can be more susceptible to problems with incontinence due to general frailty, limited mobility and chronic health conditions.

Factors contributing to incontinence include:

Confusion
Enlarged prostate
Medications
Hormonal changes
Infection
Disease
Environment
Poor mobility
Pregnancy, childbirth and menopause

Signs of incontinence

Older people can find it very difficult to discuss issues of incontinence. If you are a carer you may notice you are doing more washing, finding damp underwear or noticing the smell of urine in the house. Broach the subject with care, let the person know that bowel and bladder problems can be managed.

Symptoms of incontinence

Leaking of urine when sneezing, coughing, exercising
Not getting to the toilet on time
Passing urine more frequently
Straining to empty the bladder
Wetting the bed overnight
Poor flow of urine
Repeated urinary tract infections
Passing urine more than twice a night

(Continence Foundation of Australia, 2008)

Types of incontinence

There are a number of different types of urinary incontinence. Incontinence should always be investigated. Some people can have mixed incontinence, a combination of different types.

Urge incontinence: Individuals feel a strong urge to urinate with little or no warning and often don’t make it to the toilet on time.

Stress incontinence: A sudden leakage of urine with an increase in intra-abdominal pressure such as when coughing, sneezing, straining or lifting.

Overflow incontinence: The bladder is full at all times due to poor bladder emptying. Leaking occurs any time, day or night.

Functional incontinence: Incontinence occurs due to an inability to reach and use the toilet in time. Associated with poor mobility, confusion and difficulty sitting on a toilet.

Reflex incontinence: Loss of control of large volumes of urine related to nerve damage to the bladder. Lack of sensation to urinate.

Getting help with incontinence

Carers should try to encourage a person to mention any problems with incontinence to a doctor early on. They need to know if incontinence has become a problem. Incontinence could be related to medications a person is taking or an underlying health condition. In some cases, it could easily be treated.

Some people can feel uncomfortable talking to their doctor about bladder and bowel problems. In this case try encouraging a person to talk to a continence nurse advisor or ring them for advice. A continence nurse advisor can suggest subtle ways to broach the topic and direct you to your nearest incontinence service.

Contact your nearest community health centre or Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) and ask to speak to a continence nurse advisor. Services will vary according to where you live.

Alternatively ring the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 and speak confidentially to a continence nurse advisor. However, it is always good practice to talk to a doctor first.

A continence nurse advisor can recommend various toileting strategies. They can give practical advice for incontinence and help you choose appropriate incontinence products and aids.

Helpful Resources

Learn more about incontinence by visiting The National Continence Foundation website or call The National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66 to talk to a continence nurse advisor.
The government helps people with the costs of incontinence pads and products under the Continence Aids Assistance Scheme (CAAS). To find out if you are eligible for CAAS visit The Bladder and Bowel Website
If you're planning a long drive take note of all the public toilets along the way by visiting The National Public Toilet Map