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Incontinence

Incontinence is the inability to control the bladder or bowel, leading to unintentional urine or fecal leakage. It is a common problem affecting men and women of all ages, but it is more prevalent among older adults. Patient Handling provides a range of equipment suitable to assist those with Incontinence.

Incontinence

Incontinence is the unintentional discharge or loss of urine or faeces. Urinary incontinence (also known as bladder leakage) is the accidental loss of urine. Stress urinary incontinence and urge urinary incontinence are two types of overactive bladder. Women are twice as likely to have urinary incontinence as men. This may be due to pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause, which can often cause urinary problems. Urinary incontinence affects 1 in 3 women, 1 in 10 men and 1 in 5 children in Australia, whilst faecal incontinence is more common than people think – affecting roughly 1 in 20 Australians.

There are several types of incontinence, each with its causes and treatments:

  • Stress incontinence: This type of incontinence occurs when there is increased pressure on the bladder, such as during coughing, laughing, or physical exertion. It is most common in women and is often caused by weakened pelvic muscles.
  • Urge incontinence: This type of incontinence is characterised by a sudden and strong urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine. An overactive bladder muscle or a bladder infection often causes it.
  • Overflow incontinence: occurs when the bladder cannot empty completely, leading to leakage. It is most common in men with an enlarged prostate and in individuals with nerve damage.
  • Functional incontinence: This type of incontinence is caused by a physical or cognitive impairment that makes it difficult for an individual to reach the toilet in time.

Treatment for incontinence will depend on the type and the severity of the condition and may include pelvic floor exercises, medication, nerve stimulation, and in some cases, surgery. In addition, lifestyle changes such as weight loss, avoiding caffeine, and quitting smoking can also help to reduce the symptoms of incontinence.

Individuals with incontinence should seek medical attention, as many effective treatments are available.

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