A comprehensive guide to managing incontinence

Incontinence doesn’t just affect your physical health; it affects every part of your life. Understanding and managing incontinence can restore both comfort and confidence.

Incontinence, commonly known as the involuntary leakage of urine or faeces, can strike anyone, though it is more prevalent among older adults and those with certain medical conditions. In this article, we will explore how to manage incontinence for those living with the condition, from general tips, to hygiene and skin care recommendations, as well as advice for consulting your healthcare professional.

Key points:

Understand different causes and types of incontinence.
Learn about continence assessment and personalised management plans.
Discover practical tips for daily management and caregiver support.
Explore lifestyle changes that can ease symptoms.
Identify when it’s time to seek professional medical advice.

What are the causes of incontinence?

Incontinence affects millions worldwide, which can often disrupt daily activities and diminish quality of life. Several factors contribute to this condition; here are the likely causes of incontinence:

Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs): These can irritate the bladder, causing urgent needs to urinate and potential incontinence.
Pregnancy and childbirth: The stress on the body from pregnancy and labour can weaken pelvic muscles, often leading to incontinence.
Menopause: During and after menopause, decreased oestrogen levels can affect the health of the bladder and pelvic floor muscles, increasing the risk of incontinence.
Prostate issues: Men may experience incontinence after prostate surgery or conditions like an enlarged prostate, a condition for which prostate enlargement treatment is available in Singapore.
Obesity: Excessive body weight can exert pressure on the bladder, resulting in involuntary leakage.
Chronic conditions: Diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease can damage the nerves controlling the bladder.
Medications: Certain medications, including diuretics and sedatives, may exacerbate or lead to incontinence.

Conducting a continence assessment

To manage incontinence effectively, a thorough assessment by your healthcare professional is needed. This evaluation will help to provide specific treatments to the individual handling incontinence.

A continence assessment will involve:

Medical history review: Understanding past and present health conditions that might influence incontinence.
Physical examination: Including tests like urine analysis and bladder ultrasounds to diagnose the type and severity of incontinence.
Daily functioning assessment: Evaluating the patient’s ability to manage daily activities and their cognitive recognition of toileting needs.

How to manage and treat incontinence

Managing incontinence involves various strategies unique to the individual’s condition and lifestyle, aiming to improve both comfort and confidence.

Drinking more fluids: Contrary to avoiding liquids, consuming up to two litres of water daily can help reduce bladder irritation.
Diet: A high-fibre diet can alleviate constipation, reducing the risk of faecal incontinence.
Pelvic floor exercises: Strengthening these muscles through Kegel exercises can significantly help control urinary leaks.
Bladder training: Gradually increasing the interval between trips to the bathroom can improve bladder control.
Appropriate use of medications: Consulting with a healthcare provider can optimise medication that minimises the impact of incontinence.
Pads and pants: Using a range of incontinence supplies will aid in managing the condition, ensuring the individual can handle day to day activities with ease.

Kegel exercises

Managing incontinence effectively often involves Kegel exercises, which strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder. These exercises are simple yet powerful techniques that can significantly reduce or even stop leakage.

Exercise steps:

Identify the correct muscles by attempting to stop urinating mid-flow. The muscles used for this action are the ones involved in Kegel exercises.
Empty the bladder before performing the exercises. Tighten the pelvic floor muscles, hold for five seconds, and then relax for another five seconds.
Perform three sets of 10 repetitions each day. Consistency will help to improve muscle control sooner, and therefore, manage incontinence.

Lifestyle adjustments for living with incontinence

In addition to physical exercises, making specific lifestyle changes can aid significantly in incontinence management:

Hydration: Drink six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water daily. Proper hydration helps prevent bladder irritation and constipation, common triggers of incontinence.
Diet: Modifying your diet to reduce intake of irritants such as caffeine, acidic foods, and alcohol can alleviate symptoms.
Weight management: For overweight individuals, even a small amount of weight loss can decrease the pressure on the bladder and reduce leakage.
Quit smoking: Quitting smoking can improve bladder function and overall health, reducing the frequency of incontinence episodes.
Just can’t wait: For those wondering whether is bladder incontinence a disability, you can opt for a FREE Just Can’t Wait card so that you can easily access public toiletries when needed and avoid unnecessary leakages.

Supportive tips for carers

Caring for someone with incontinence requires patience, understanding, and knowledge of effective management strategies:

Maintain a supportive and patient approach as incontinence can be distressing. Open communication can decrease the chances of people handling incontinence feeling shameful or distressed.
Keep a calm and humorous approach to occasional accidents to ease tension and embarrassment.
It’s important for carers to take regular breaks and manage their own well-being to provide the best care.

Practical management advice for incontinence

Practical adjustments can make daily life easier for both individuals living with incontinence and their carers:

Incontinence products: Use pads and protective garments designed for urinary or bowel incontinence. These are essential for managing incontinence discreetly and effectively.
Adaptive clothing: Choose clothing with easy fastenings like velcro or elastic waistbands to make dressing and undressing easier.
Home adjustments: Install bathroom aids like raised toilets or grab bars to improve safety and independence.

Toiletry advice for managing incontinence

Proper toileting strategies can improve comfort and prevent accidents:

Scheduled toileting: Keeping a routine can help manage incontinence more predictably.
Accessibility and comfort: Ensure the toilet area is safe, accessible, and comfortable, using aids like portable commodes if necessary.
Privacy considerations: Always respect the privacy needs of the individual, using humour and a relaxed attitude to ease any potential discomfort.

How to handle hygiene with incontinence

Proper hygiene is critical in managing incontinence effectively and ensuring the comfort and dignity of individuals affected.

Recommended tips involve:

Using disposable gloves: Always wear gloves when assisting with cleanups to prevent contamination.
Skin care: After cleaning, wash the skin with warm water, pat dry, and apply verified skin care products such as MoliCare skin barrier cream to protect against irritation.
Hand washing: Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water after removing gloves to maintain good hygiene.
Proper disposal: Dispose of incontinence products like pads and gloves in a sanitary manner to prevent plumbing issues and maintain cleanliness.

When to seek medical help

Living with incontinence requires awareness of signs that indicate the need for professional medical help. If any of these signs or symptoms are identified early, then please contact a healthcare professional:

Inability to urinate: An urgent issue that requires immediate attention to prevent further complications.
Sudden changes: Such as new onset bedwetting or loss of bladder control, which could indicate other underlying problems that may not be easily noticeable.
Digestive issues: Persistent or severe constipation or diarrhoea lasting more than a day needs medical evaluation.
Skin concerns: Ongoing skin rashes or irritation from incontinence that do not improve with regular hygiene practices.
Emotional impact: If incontinence significantly affects mental health, leading to stress, depression, or anger, it may be time to consult a healthcare professional. Consider seeking mental health support through an online therapy platform like BetterHelp.

These guidelines are integral to incontinence management and ensuring that both individuals experiencing incontinence and their carers can address this challenging condition with dignity and effectiveness.

In conclusion, managing incontinence effectively involves understanding its causes, integrating practical management strategies, and following proper hygiene practices. Whether through lifestyle adjustments, physical exercises, or careful caregiving, there are numerous ways to improve quality of life and maintain dignity when living with incontinence.

FAQs

What age does incontinence start?

Incontinence can begin at any age but is most common in older adults. Certain types, like stress incontinence, may start earlier, particularly in women following childbirth. Giggle incontinence is also known to affect children, but should normally stop after a certain age.

Does incontinence ever go away?

Incontinence can be temporary or chronic, depending on its cause. Temporary incontinence may resolve with treatment of the underlying condition, while chronic incontinence may require ongoing management.

What does being incontinent feel like?

Being incontinent can feel like an inability to control the bladder or bowels, leading to involuntary leakage. It can cause physical discomfort and emotional stress, impacting daily activities and quality of life.

Sources

Bladder and Bowel Community. (n.d.) FREE Just Can’t Wait Toilet Card. [online] Available at: https://www.bladderandbowel.org/free-just-cant-wait-card/ [accessed 18/10/2024]

About the author

Julie Boultwood is the strategic eCommerce manager for HARTMANN Direct. With over 25 years of experience in marketing, she has developed expertise in several industries including healthcare, agriculture, and travel. View her social media.