Sudden Loss Of Bladder Control In Elderly

Why Uti Is The Most Common Bladder Problem In Seniors

UTIs are one of the most common bladder problems among seniors. It is caused due to bacteria and there are several other reasons too for developing the risk of UTIs in older ones, such as:

• Having or had an UTI before
• Changes in the immune system
• Being exposed to various bacteria in the care facility or in hospital
• Presence of a urinary catheter
• Experiencing changes in the functionality of the urinary system
• Having health conditions such as Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers disease, diabetes, etc.

Sudden Loss Of Bowel Control

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

Ask U.S. doctors your own question and get educational, text answers â it’s anonymous and free!

HealthTap doctors are based in the U.S., board certified, and available by text or video.

What Are The Different Types Of Bladder Control Loss

• Stress incontinence is caused by sudden pressure on the bladder. Exercise, sneezing, laughing, or heavy lifting may be just a few reasons for urine leakage. Younger and middle-aged women near or at menopause experience this most commonly.
• Urge incontinence happens when you are unable to hold on when you have an urge to urinate and cannot make it to the toilet. People with diabetes, stroke, MS, Alzheimers, and Parkinsons disease may have this problem.
• Overflow incontinence happens when the bladder is constantly full and cannot be completely emptied. An enlarged prostate blocking the urethra or a spinal cord injury may cause this condition.
• Functional incontinence may occur if you have a condition that prevents you from getting to the toilet in time. Arthritis or other disorders can keep you from being able to move quickly.

Also Check: Small Cell Carcinoma Bladder Cancer

Top 6 Things That Cause Loss Of Bladder Control

Millions of people both men and women suffer from urinary incontinence or loss of bladder control. It is the proverbial elephant in the room. Loss of Bladder control affects more women than men. It is a debilitating condition that can leave you embarrassed and ashamed and lower your self-esteem. Most people dont want to talk about it so they suffer silently although solutions are available.

What Are Some Of The Different Types Of Urinary Incontinence

The following are some of the different types of urinary incontinence:

• Urgency incontinence: This is the inability to hold urine long enough to reach a restroom. It can be associated with having to urinate often and feeling a strong, sudden urge to urinate. It can be a separate condition, but it may also be an indication of other diseases or conditions that would also warrant medical attention.

• Stress incontinence: This is the leakage of urine during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting heavy objects or performing other body movements that put pressure on the bladder.

• Functional incontinence: This is urine leakage due to a difficulty reaching a restroom in time because of physical conditions, such as arthritis, injury or other disabilities.

• Overflow incontinence. Leakage occurs when the quantity of urine produced exceeds the bladders capacity to hold it.

Also Check: Over The Counter Bladder Medication

Bladder Incontinence In Women

Bladder incontinence is more common in women than in men. Other than the possible causes listed above, some things that may increase risk of bladder incontinence in women are:

• Changes to urinary or vaginal tissue from hormone therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy
• Hormonal changes from menopause
• Pelvic prolapse – the bladder, uterus, and or rectum may slip backward or downward into the vaginal canal because of weak pelvic wall muscles

Different Types Of Incontinence

There are four basic types of incontinence: stress, urge, overflow and functional. They may occur alone, or in combination, especially in seniors.

Stress incontinence is the involuntary leakage of small amounts of urine in response to increased pressure on the bladder . It is present in about 35 per cent of incontinent seniors. It is more common in women, often because childbirth caused the pelvic muscles to relax. It also occurs, usually temporarily, in men who have had prostate surgery.

Urge incontinence is the leakage of large amounts of urine when someone is unable to reach the toilet after getting the urge to urinate. It accounts for 60-70 per cent of incontinence problems in seniors.

Overflow incontinence accounts for 10-15 per cent of urinary incontinence. It occurs when there is an obstruction in the bladder, which causes the bladder to overfill. Often, there is no sensation that the bladder is full. Then, when the bladder contracts, urine is released.

Functional incontinence accounts for 25 per cent of the incontinence seen in institutions. It often happens because a person has difficulty moving from one place to another. Poor vision, hearing or speech may interfere with reaching the toilet or telling caregivers of the need to use the toilet. This type of incontinence can also occur in the home.

Don’t Miss: Bladder Infection Back Pain Right Side

Urinary Incontinence Causes And Symptoms

Aging itself does not cause urinary incontinence, but changes that occur with aging can increase the risk of developing urinary incontinence by interfering with a persons ability to control urination. For example, the maximum amount of urine that the bladder can hold decreases. The ability to postpone urination decreases. More urine remains in the bladder after urination , partly due to less effective squeezing of the bladder muscle. In postmenopausal women, the urinary sphincter does not hold back urine in the bladder as effectively, because the decrease in estrogen levels after menopause leads to shortening of the urethra and thinning and fragility of its lining. Also, urine flow through the urethra slows. In men, urine flow through the urethra may be impeded by an enlarged prostate gland, eventually leading to bladder enlargement.

Urinary incontinence has many possible causes. Some causes, such as a bladder infection, a broken hip, or delirium, can bring on incontinence suddenly and abruptly. Other causes, such as an enlarged prostate in men or dementia, gradually interfere with control of urination until incontinence results. Incontinence may resolve and never recur. Alternatively, it may persist, recurring sporadically or, in some cases, frequently.

Bladder Leakage 3 Things Women Should Know About Urinary Incontinence

To dispel misconceptions, a urogynecologist discusses the surprisingly common, lingering issue many women experience.

Bladder leakage. For some women, the condition runs their life from the inside, preventing them from playing outside with their kids, going to a workout class or staying the night with family or friends.

And theyre not alone. Living with some degree of urinary incontinence, defined as an uncontrolled leakage of urine, is actually common, according to Pamela Fairchild, M.D., a urogynecologist at Von Voigtlander Womans Hospital at Michigan Medicine.

She says that approximately half of all women over the age of 20 experience some degree of incontinence. This means urinary incontinence isnt just an issue that affects elderly or postpartum women, although aging and childbirth are risk factors.

But if so many women experience it, then why does the topic still seem embarrassing?

Women get the sense that this is inevitable, that its a natural part of aging and they have to live with it, says Fairchild. This false perception leaves women feeling powerless, even though there are ways to greatly improve their quality of life.

To help overcome the stigma, Fairchild shared three facts about urinary incontinence that all women should know.

Don’t Miss: How To Fix Bladder Problems

What Makes Yale Medicines Approach To Neurogenic Bladder Unique

Patients can expect the most advanced treatment options available for neurogenic bladder, including sacral neuromodulation bladder injections and complex bladder reconstructive surgery.

Our goal is to provide a patient-centered approach, says Dr. Chai. So we work with your medical doctors including primary care physicians, neurologists, and specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation to ensure that you are taken care of holistically.

Dont Miss: What Causes Your Bladder To Not Fully Empty

Bad Cough Causes Loss Of Bowel Bladder Control

• THE PEOPLEâS PHARMACY Joe and Teresa Gradeon

Q. Iâve had a terrible cough, so violent that Iâve wetand sometimes even soiled myself. For the past several weeks, Iâvebeen vomiting from coughing so hard.

I take lisinopril and amlodipine for high bloodpressure. I suspect that one of them is the cause of my horridcough. Is this possible?

A. The most common and bothersome side effectof popular blood pressure drugs like benazepril, captopril,enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril and ramipril is an uncontrollablecough. Many readers have reported throwing up because of this sideeffect. Patients should always be alerted to this potential adversereaction.

We are sending you our Guide to Blood Pressure Treatment with adiscussion of the pros and cons of a range of medications and manynondrug alternatives. Anyone who would like a copy, please send $3in check or money order with a long , stamped ,self-addressed envelope to:

Graedonsâ Peopleâs Pharmacy

No. B-67, P.O. Box 52027

Durham, N.C. 27717-2027

• Peopleâs Pharmacy: Did shingles vaccine also prevent cold sores?

Although amlodipine is unlikely to cause cough, it can lead toswollen ankles because of fluid retention. Other side effects mayinclude headache, dizziness, nausea and fatigue.

Q. My family has switched almost entirely to using seasalt in cooking. Are we now at greater risk of developing a goiterbecause weâre not using iodized salt?

Read Also: What Does Overactive Bladder Mean

What Else Causes Bladder Control Problems In Women

Certain life events and health problems can lead to stress incontinence in women by weakening the pelvic floor muscles

• pregnancy and childbirth

Weak pelvic floor muscles can make it hard for your bladder to hold urine in during stress incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when an actioncoughing, sneezing, laughing, or physical activityputs pressure on your bladder and causes urine to leak. A weak pelvic floor can also cause fecal incontinence, or bowel control problems.

Bladder And Bowel Incontinence

Incontinence is a loss of control of a person’s bowels or bladder which can cause accidental leakage of body fluids and waste. Incontinence can be more than a physical problem. It can disrupt your quality of life if its not managed well.

Fear, anxiety, and anger are common feelings for people dealing with incontinence. You may avoid being intimate or having sex because you are afraid of urine, gas, or stool leakage. Fear of having an accident may keep you from being physically active, enjoying hobbies, or spending extended time outside your home.

Anyone can have incontinence during and after surgery or some other treatments for cancer. Incontinence can also occur because of other non-cancer medical conditions. Be sure to talk to your health care team if you have difficulty controlling urination or bowels. Talking about incontinence can be embarrassing, but being open and honest with your health care team can help manage it.

Recommended Reading: Uti Or Bladder Infection Treatment

Treatment For Incontinence And Continence Problems

If you have incontinence or continence problems, you should seek help. There is a range of management options available. The treatments depend on the type of incontinence you have and what you hope to achieve.An incontinence management plan will usually include several of:

• adequate fluid intake of up to two litres each day
• incontinence aids such as pads, condom drainage or catheters.

Also Check: Nursing Diagnosis For Bladder Cancer

Alternative And Complementary Therapies

The treatment of urinary incontinence varies depending on the cause of the bladder control problem. In most cases, a physician will try the simplest treatment approach before resorting to medication or surgery.

Bladder habit training This is the first approach for treating most incontinence issues. The goal is to establish a regular urination schedule with set intervals between urination. A doctor will usually recommend urinating at one-hour intervals and gradually increasing the intervals between urination over time.

Pelvic muscle exercises Also called Kegel exercises , this exercise routine helps strengthen weak pelvic muscles and improve bladder control.

The person contracts the muscles used to keep in urine, holds the contraction for 4 to 10 seconds, then relaxes the muscles for the same amount of time.

It may take weeks or months of regular pelvic exercise to show improvement.

Another way to perform Kegel exercises is to interrupt the flow of urine for several seconds while urinating.

Don’t Miss: What Causes Bladder Spasms With Catheter

Behavioral And Lifestyle Changes

Changing your lifestyle may help with bladder problems. Losing weight, quitting smoking, saying no to alcohol, choosing water instead of other drinks, and limiting drinks before bedtime can help with some bladder problems. Preventing constipation and avoiding lifting heavy objects may also help with incontinence. Even after treatment, some people still leak urine from time to time. There are bladder control products and other solutions, including disposable briefs or underwear, furniture pads, and urine deodorizing pills that may help.

Visit the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases for more information on urinary incontinence in men and urinary incontinence in women.

Try Pelvic Floor Therapy

Pelvic floor therapy is a type of specialized physical therapy that strengthens the muscles that support your bladder and bowels. This can be very effective in treating urinary incontinence caused by an overactive bladder.

During pelvic floor therapy, a physical therapist may lead you through exercises that target your pelvic floor, use mild electrical stimulation to help you have more awareness of your pelvic floor muscles, and use other specialized techniques. If youre interested in pelvic floor therapy, talk with a doctor about getting a referral.

Read Also: What Herbs Are Good For Bladder Control

How A Health Professional Can Help

The first health professional that youre likely to talk to about incontinence is your primary care provider, but they may refer you to another physician or professional who can better help. Urologists and gynecologists are surgeons who see men and women for incontinence, and nurse continence advisors can run specialized interprofessional clinics.

Diagnosing the cause of incontinence

What your doctor will ask about: The treatment of incontinence depends on the cause of the symptoms, which your doctor will evaluate by asking questions, doing a physical examination, and probably order a few preliminary investigations.

Your doctor will review your personal medical history, especially any history of prostate surgery for men, and for women, the history of any pregnancies and number and types of births. Lifestyle issues like smoking, alcohol intake, caffeine consumption, exercise , and body weight are likely to come up.

A careful review of the patterns of incontinence will help to determine the cause of urine loss.

To review, three common patterns of urinary incontinence are:

• Stress: if you lose urine when doing certain activities,
• Overflow: you lose urine all the time in a dribble,
• Urge: feeling an urgent need to get to the toilet that you sometimes cant meet,

In older adults, its common for there to be a mixture of more than one pattern .

Your doctor will want to know:

The physical examination

Tests

Common Causes Of Back Pain

The back undergoes a lot of wear and tear due to twisting, lifting, and supporting a personâs body weight.

There are many possible causes of back pain. They may occur at the same time as urinary incontinence, though the two symptoms are not always related.

Some

When incontinence and back pain arise due to a single underlying condition, they are not usually symptoms that a person can treat at home.

However, a person can try the following steps to try to improve their symptoms:

• Avoid substances that worsen incontinence. These include caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages.
• Try nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs . These include ibuprofen and naproxen. NSAIDs can help relieve pain and reduce the inflammation that can lead to discomfort.
• Apply a cloth-covered ice pack to the back for 10 minutes at a time. This can help relieve irritation and swelling that can cause back pain and discomfort.
• Avoid smoking. Smoking is a known risk factor for incontinence and can also contribute to the development of conditions that cause back pain.

A person can also review the medications they currently take with their doctor. However, they should not stop taking any medications without a doctorâs approval.

If someone has a herniated disk, there are several exercises that may help relieve pain. Gentle activities, such as swimming and yoga, can also be beneficial.

Read Also: Yoga Exercises For Prolapsed Bladder

Don’t Miss: How To Treat Uti Or Bladder Infection

How To Deal With Elderly Incontinence

Your loved one may feel embarrassed by their accidents and avoid scheduling a doctors appointment. They may be using absorbent pads or protective underwear to help, but urinary incontinence is very treatable with medical assistance.

They may also hold off because theyre unsure what kind of doctor to see. A primary care doctor, geriatrician, nurse practitioner, or urinary specialist are viable options. If your loved one feels comfortable with their primary care doctor, its generally good to start there.

Women can also find a urogynecologist, while men can visit a urologist.

How To Get Help For Female Urinary Incontinence

Still feeling unsure about your first step? Remember, incontinence doesnt have to stop you from enjoying daily life on your terms. Getting the right diagnosis and treatment can be a life changer.

If you think that you might have urinary incontinence, reach out to one of our primary care doctors. Well answer any questions you may have and guide you to treatment that will work for you. If specialty care is needed, well refer you to our team of compassionate urogynecology specialists.

Read Also: How To Know If You Have Bladder Problems

Is Urinary Incontinence Common For Aging Adults

Bladder control problems can happen at any age, but it generally occurs in seniors. While aging, several changes happen to the body and these make urinary incontinence more likely.

With normal aging, some of the muscle fibers of the bladder get replaced with fibrotic tissues that are stiffer. Alongside, the neurological responses that we commonly rely on maintaining normal urinary functionalities too get declined. All these eventually lead to urinary incontinence among the older population.