Thursday, March 28, 2024

Is Urinary Incontinence A Normal Part Of Aging

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Causes Of Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is treatable and not a normal part of aging

Incontinence can happen for many reasons. For example, urinary tract infections, vaginal infection or irritation, constipation. Some medicines can cause bladder control problems that last a short time. When incontinence lasts longer, it may be due to:

  • Weak bladder muscles
  • Overactive bladder muscles
  • Weak pelvic floor muscles
  • Damage to nerves that control the bladder from diseases such as multiple sclerosis, diabetes, or Parkinsons disease
  • Blockage from an enlarged prostate in men
  • Diseases such as arthritis that may make it difficult to get to the bathroom in time
  • Pelvic organ prolapse, which is when pelvic organs shift out of their normal place into the vagina. When pelvic organs are out of place, the bladder and urethra are not able to work normally, which may cause urine to leak.

Most incontinence in men is related to the prostate gland. Male incontinence may be caused by:

  • Prostatitisa painful inflammation of the prostate gland
  • Injury, or damage to nerves or muscles from surgery
  • An enlarged prostate gland, which can lead to Benign Prostate Hyperplasia , a condition where the prostate grows as men age.

Not Everyone Experiences Bladder Leakage

While there are many age-related risks for bladder control issues, urinary incontinence is not an inevitable part of aging.

We dont know exactly how many folks struggle with a leaky bladder. According to studies, the number ranges from around 9.9% to 36.1% of adultsand the incidence increases with age. For instance, older women are nearly twice as likely as younger women to have incontinence symptoms.

Not sure if you have bladder control problems? Test your bladder now to find out.

Can Aging Cause Incontinence

The aging process can lead to changes in how much urine your bladder can hold and your urine stream, causing you to urinate more frequently. These changes do not necessarilry lead to incontinence. According to the National Institute on Aging, at least one person in 10 age 65 or older suffers from urinary leakage.

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Is It Normal To Have Urinary Leakage With Aging

These changes do not necessarilry lead to incontinence. According to the National Institute on Aging, at least one person in 10 age 65 or older suffers from urinary leakage. But even though it may be common, that doesnt mean that its normal. There is really no normal amount of urinary leaking that occurs with aging.

Review Of Publication Bias And Meta

Is Urinary Incontinence A Normal Part Of Aging?

The heterogeneity of the studies was investigated using the I2 test and based on this test, the amount of heterogeneity was obtained and shows high heterogeneity in the included studies, so the random-effects model was used to combine the results of the studies. Also, the results of the study of publication bias in the studies were evaluated due to the high sample size entered in the studies with Begg and Manzumdar test and with a significance level of 0.1, which indicates that the diffusion bias was not significant in the present study .

Fig. 2

A review of 29 studies and the sample size of 518,465 people in the age range of 55106years, urinary incontinence in the older adults women of the world based on a meta-analysis of 37.1% was obtained. The highest prevalence of urinary incontinence in older adults women in Egypt with 80% in 2020 and the lowest prevalence of urinary incontinence in older adults women in Mexico with 9.5% was achieved in 2017 .

Fig. 3

In this figure, the prevalence of urinary incontinence is shown based on the random-effects model, in which the black square, the colour of the prevalence, and the length of the line segment on which the square is placed are 95% confidence intervals in each study.

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An Extended Family In Your Loved Ones Home

Caring for an aging loved one with urinary incontinence can be challenging and stressful. At Seniors Prefer Homecare, we provide reliable and affordable in-home incontinence care solutions that restore the peace of mind of the clients and families we serve. While serving as an extended family in the home, our highly trained professionals support senior daily living activities through in-home services like personal care, household duties, companionship care, dementia care, and even live-in and 24-hour care.

At SPH, our compassionate team members use a unique approach thats designed to lift the spirits of those we serve while maintaining their independence, dignity, and self-esteem. To learn more about our cream-of-the-crop home care services now, or to schedule a FREE initial consultation for a senior in Huntsville or Tuscaloosa, AL, today, please visit Seniors Prefer Homecare at www.seniorspreferhomecare.com!

  • 204 Lowe Ave, Suite 3Huntsville, AL 35801

Effective And Related Factors In Urinary Incontinence In Older Adults Women

According to a systematic review of studies, various factors affect the incidence of urinary incontinence in older women, the most important of which are the age of women , obesity based on BMI index , diabetes , womens education , delivery rate , hypertension , smoking as well as urinary tract infections . Based on the results reported in Table , all these factors have a significant difference in the incidence of urinary incontinence in older adults women .

Table 3 A systematic review of the factors affecting older adults women with urinary incontinence

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Urinary Incontinence Often Lowers Self

Seniors that experience urinary incontinence often feel embarrassed and many put off seeing a doctor longer than they should. Constant worrying about poor bladder control can lower self-esteem, causing the individual to be anxious and nervous when out in public.

Over time, many older adults with urinary incontinence experience social isolation. It can also be an early indicator of frailty and other health concerns that increase ones risk for falling, while prolonged urine exposure to skin may cause various skin problems.

Should I Drink Less Water Or Other Fluids If I Have Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is treatable and not a normal part of aging

No. Many people with urinary incontinence think they need to drink less to reduce how much urine leaks out. But you need fluids, especially water, for good health.

Women need 91 ounces of fluids a day from food and drinks.11 Getting enough fluids helps keep your kidneys and bladder healthy, prevents urinary tract infections, and prevents constipation, which may make urinary incontinence worse.

After age 60, people are less likely to get enough water, putting them at risk for dehydration and conditions that make urinary incontinence worse.12

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Try Natural Supplements For Bladder Health

Various natural compounds support optimal bladder health. Our BetterWOMAN and BetterMAN supplements contain traditional Chinese medicinal herbs that may help with bladder control.*

Both supplements are all-natural and have undergone clinical testing, with some clients experiencing improvements in occasional leakage.*

Urinary Incontinence: Is It Part Of Normal Aging

As many as a full quarter of Americans experience urinary incontinence, according to the Urology Care Foundation. However, experts struggle to put an exact number on the prevalence of this condition for one reason: most people suffer in silence out of either embarrassment or the belief that theres nothing that can be done to remedy the problem. But the truth is, urinary incontinence doesnt have to be part of the aging equation. Lets take a closer look at this common health issue, along with highlighting some management and treatment options.

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How Is Urinary Incontinence Treated

You and your doctor or nurse will work together to create a treatment plan. You may start with steps you can take at home. If these steps do not improve your symptoms, your doctor or nurse may recommend other treatments depending on whether you have stress incontinence or urge incontinence or both.

Be patient as you work with your doctor or nurse on a treatment plan. It may take a month or longer for different treatments to begin working.

Behavioral Therapy: The First Treatment For Urinary Incontinence In The Elderly

Urinary incontinence is treatable and not a normal part of ...

After a diagnosis is made, behavioral therapy is often the first urinary incontinence treatment for the elderly. This may involve:

Learning to delay urination

You can do this by gradually lengthening the time between bathroom trips. One can also practice double voiding, which is when a person urinates, waits for a few minutes, and then urinates again. This teaches the person to drain their bladder more thoroughly.

Scheduled bathroom visits

This is often effective for people with mobility issues or neurological disorders, even if this means someone else is in charge of taking you to the restroom.

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How Do I Do Kegel Exercises

To do Kegels:

  • Lie down. It may be easier to learn how to do Kegels correctly while lying down. You dont have to lie down once you learn to do Kegels correctly.
  • Squeeze the muscles in your genital area as if you were trying to stop the flow of urine or passing gas. Try not to squeeze the muscles in your belly or legs at the same time. Try to squeeze only the pelvic muscles. Be extra careful not to tighten your stomach, legs, or buttocks .
  • Relax.Squeeze the muscles again and hold for 3 seconds. Then relax for 3 seconds. Work up to 3 sets of 10 each day.
  • Practice Kegels anywhere. When your muscles get stronger, try doing Kegels while sitting or standing. You can do these exercises at any time, such as while sitting at your desk or in the car, waiting in line, or doing the dishes. Dont do Kegel exercises at the same time you are urinating. This can weaken your pelvic floor muscles over time.10
  • If you are uncomfortable or uncertain about doing Kegel exercises on your own, a doctor or nurse can also teach you how to do Kegels. A pelvic floor physical therapist or other specialist may also be available in your area to help teach you how to strengthen these muscles.

    Types Of Urinary Incontinence

    There are different types of incontinence:

    • Stress incontinence occurs when urine leaks as pressure is put on the bladder, for example, during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects. Its the most common type of bladder control problem in younger and middle-age women. It may begin around the time of menopause.
    • Urge incontinence happens when people have a sudden need to urinate and cannot hold their urine long enough to get to the toilet. It may be a problem for people who have diabetes, Alzheimers disease, Parkinsons disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke.
    • Overflow incontinence happens when small amounts of urine leak from a bladder that is always full. A man can have trouble emptying his bladder if an enlarged prostate is blocking the urethra. Diabetes and spinal cord injuries can also cause this type of incontinence.
    • Functional incontinence occurs in many older people who have normal bladder control. They just have a problem getting to the toilet because of arthritis or other disorders that make it hard to move quickly.

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    A Few Signs That Urinary Incontinence Might Be A Problem Include:

    • Feeling like youre always having to go
    • Frequent or urgent need to pee, even when you just went a few minutes ago
    • Wetting yourself without any warning before getting to the bathroom
    • Having to rush to get there in time
    • Being unable to hold your bladder for long periods of time

    If these problems sound like you, then you might have urinary incontinence.

    Dont suffer in silence, there are solutions available to you.

    Urinary incontinence is not something that happens as a natural part of aging. If its happening to you now or if it has suddenly started recently, talk with your doctor about treatment options.

    Studies Show Incontinence Is Not A Normal Part Of Aging

    Is Urinary Incontinence a normal part of ageing?

    Alicia A. Nixon PT, DPT, BCB-PMD

    Urinary incontinence is defined as involuntary loss of urine by an individual and is a significant health problem that has considerable social as well as financial implications . Incontinence is NOT a normal part of the aging process and is treatable with a wide variety of treatments, both invasive and non-invasive. Surgery is not the only treatment option.

    There are several types of incontinence and the treatments for each are different. The three main types of incontinence are stress incontinence, urge incontinence and mixed incontinence.

    Stress incontinence is when a person leaks with activities such as laughing, coughing, sneezing or when moving from sitting to standing. This type of incontinence is fairly predictable.

    Urge incontinence is when someone experiences the sudden urge to void and is unable to stop the urine from leaking. Urge incontinence is totally unpredictable.

    Mixed incontinence is a combination of both urge and stress incontinence.

    The costs of incontinence are extremely high with estimates in 2000 at $19.5 billion with $14.2 billion spent by residents that were residing in the community, not elders residing in nursing facilities. This is a significant financial burden to the individual and to society . These costs are unnecessary given the treatable nature of the condition.

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    Why Incontinence Is Not A Normal Part Of Aging

    Have you noticed how many ads on television promote the use of products for bladder control problems? And do you realize that nearly all of these ads are directed at women, even though many men experience bladder leakage, too?

    While Im grateful that these products exist, the ads often make me cringe. Typically, they portray bladder leakage as a normal and unavoidable part of becoming an older woman. This is far from the truth.

    It is true that there are some forms of incontinence that are irreversible. However, many types of bladder control problems can improve or be corrected with proper treatment.

    Today, lets look at the three most common types of bladder incontinence and possible treatments. Note that some people experience a combination of these conditions.

    Incontinence In Older Adults: The Role Of The Geriatric Multidisciplinary Team

    Urinary and fecal incontinence are very common in the geriatric population, yet many patients and health care practitioners wrongly consider incontinence a normal part of aging.

    Older adults require an incontinence assessment that includes a review of physical, psychological, and social health. Functional status, quality of life, and goals of care must also be considered. Quality of life for older patients can be improved with the help of a nurse continence advisor , a pelvic floor physiotherapist, a geriatrician, and other health professionals skilled in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of urinary and fecal incontinence.

    The nurse continence advisorThe nurse continence advisor is a registered nurse who has recognized education, training, and certification in continence management. The NCA focuses on conservative and holistic strategies for managing incontinence and related symptoms, including urinary urgency, frequency, and nocturia, and fecal incontinence and constipation. This nursing specialty was developed in Great Britain in the 1970s in response to long wait lists to see urological specialists, and was introduced in Canada in 1995 by the Ontario Ministry of Health.

    This article has been peer reviewed.

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    What Are Kegel Exercises

    Kegel exercises, also called Kegels or pelvic floor muscle training, are exercises for your pelvic floor muscles to help prevent or reduce stress urinary incontinence. Your pelvic floor muscles support your uterus, bladder, small intestine, and rectum.

    Four in 10 women improved their symptoms after trying Kegels.9 Kegels can be done daily and may be especially helpful during pregnancy. They can help prevent the weakening of pelvic floor muscles, which often happens during pregnancy and childbirth. Your pelvic floor muscles may also weaken with age and less physical activity.

    Some women have urinary symptoms because the pelvic floor muscles are always tightened. In this situation, Kegel exercises will not help your urinary symptoms and may cause more problems. Talk to your doctor or nurse about your urinary symptoms before doing Kegel exercises.

    The 411 On Urinary Incontinence

    Urinary incontinence is treatable and not a normal part of ...

    Urinary incontinence ranges in severity from mild occasional urine leakage to complete involuntary loss of bladder control.

    Types of urinary incontinence include the following: leaks due to pressure on the bladder sudden, intense urges which make getting to the bathroom on time impossible , continual dribbling because the bladder never fully empties , physical or mental impairments which lead to accidents , and a combination of several of these types .

    Unfortunately, due to the the stigma surrounding urinary incontinence, many patients fail to seek medical intervention. However, when urinary incontinence begins interfering with everyday activities, it can cause social, emotional and physical problems. Seeing a doctor is also important due to the rare chance that urinary incontinence may indicate a serious underlying condition.

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    Urinary Incontinence In Older Adults

    Urinary incontinence means a person leaks urine by accident. While it may happen to anyone, urinary incontinence is more common in older people, especially women. Incontinence can often be cured or controlled. Talk to your healthcare provider about what you can do.

    What happens in the body to cause bladder control problems? The body stores urine in the bladder. During urination, muscles in the bladder tighten to move urine into a tube called the 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 dont work the way they should, urine can leak. Incontinence typically occurs if the muscles relax without warning.

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