What is urinary incontinence and how can I treat it?

What is the meaning of incontinence?

Urinary incontinence means that you pass urine when you do not mean to (involuntarily leaking urine). 

Some people may have a health or mobility problem that causes incontinence to occur. In these instances, it is important to remember that our carer’s are appropriately to help you deal with this. Often people want to be able to use the toilet with as little help as possible, at Bluebird Care York we pride ourselves on maintaining your independence as much as possible in these situations.

Tips for living with incontinence

How can I be prepared when I have incontinence problems?

Try thinking of practical solutions to urination problems that might arise while you’re out. You could take some spare incontinence pads and pants with you. Scented bags for soiled pads or pants could be useful if you’re worried about smell.

How to take care of your skin when suffering from incontinence problems.

Washing regularly and drying carefully with a soft towel will help to keep your skin healthy. Change incontinence pads regularly, using a disposable wipe to remove any residue. If your skin becomes broken, speak with your doctor or a nurse immediately as it can lead to a skin infection.

How often should I change my incontinence pads?

Fresh urine should not smell offensive. If it does, there may be an infection. Good quality incontinence pads help to absorb some smell, but always change wet clothes as soon as possible. Smell from bowel incontinence is more difficult to hide. Change soiled pads as soon as possible and put them in an airtight container or sealed bag.

When should I seek medical advice for incontinence?

See your GP if you have any type of incontinence. Incontinence is a common problem and you shouldn’t feel embarrassed talking to a professional about your symptoms.

This can often be the first step towards finding a way to effectively manage the problem.

Incontinence can usually be diagnosed after a consultation with your GP. It is likely that they will ask about your symptoms and may carry out an examination.

Your GP may also suggest that you keep a diary noting how much foods and fluids you consume and how often you feel like you have to urinate.

What can cause bowel incontinence?

There are lots of possible causes of bowel incontinence. Often it can be caused by a combination of problems.

• Causes of bowel incontinence may include:
• Severe or long-lasting constipation or diarrhoea
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease severe piles (haemorrhoids))
• Childbirth or surgery damaging the muscles or nerves you use to control your bowels
• Conditions that can affect the nerves in your bottom (such as diabetes, a stroke or spina bifida)

Don’t try to self-diagnose the cause of your problems. Get medical help so the underlying cause can be identified and treated professionally.

What can cause urinary incontinence?

• Stress incontinence is usually the result of the weakening of or damage to the muscles used to prevent urination, such as the pelvic floor muscles and the urethral sphincter

• Urge incontinence is usually the result of over activity of the detrusor muscles, which control the bladder
• Overflow incontinence is often caused by an obstruction or blockage to your bladder, which prevents it emptying fully
• Total incontinence may be caused by a problem with the bladder from birth, a spinal injury, or a bladder fistula
• Certain things can increase the chances of urinary incontinence developing, including:
  • Pregnancy and vaginal birth
  • Obesity
  • A family history of incontinence
  • Increasing age (although incontinence is not an inevitable part of ageing)

How to prevent incontinence?

It’s not always possible to prevent incontinence, but there are some steps you can take that may help reduce the chance of it developing.

These include:

• Controlling your weight
• Changes to your diet (such as avoiding foods that make diarrhoea worse)
• Avoiding or cutting down on alcohol
• Keeping fit (in particular, ensuring that your pelvic floor muscles are strong)

How do I treat incontinence?

Initially, your GP may suggest some simple measures to see if they help improve your symptoms.

These may include:

• Lifestyle changes (such as losing weight and cutting down on caffeine, alcohol and foods that may make this worse)
• Pelvic floor exercises (exercising your pelvic floor muscles by squeezing them, taught by a specialist)
• Bladder training (where you learn ways to wait longer between needing to urinate and passing urine, guided by a specialist)

You may also benefit from the use of incontinence products, such as absorbent pads and hand-held urinals.

Medication may be recommended if you’re still unable to manage your symptoms.

Who can I contact for support and advice with incontinence?

Below is a list of organisations/charities that you can seek support and advice from in relation to incontinence issues.

Bladder & Bowel UK

• 0161 607 8219

• bladderandboweluk@disabledliving.co.uk

Age UK Advice Line

• 0800 678 1602

Bladder Health UK

• 0121 702 0820 (Confidential Advice Line)

• info@bladderhealthuk.org

You can get support and advice from one of our carers as well as your GP.