What are the Continence Issues in Older Adults?

A person with urinary incontinence accidentally releases pee. Urinary incontinence, commonly known as overactive bladder, can affect anybody, but it is more prevalent in older individuals, particularly women. Bladder control problems can be humiliating and make people refrain from participating in daily activities. However, incontinence is frequently reversible or manageable.

What transpires within the body to produce issues with bladder control? The urinary system, which also consists of the kidneys, ureters, and urethra, is made up of the hollow bladder, which is located in the lower abdomen. The muscles in the bladder contract to force urine into the tube-shaped urethra during urination. The muscles around the urethra also relax at this time, allowing the urine to exit the body. Urinary incontinence can occur when the muscles in and around the bladder don't function as they should.

Numerous conditions, such as urinary tract infections, vaginal infections or irritations, or constipation, can cause incontinence. Some drugs have the potential to induce momentary bladder control issues. Incontinence that lasts longer could be brought on by: Weak muscles in the pelvic floor or bladder, uncontrolled bladder muscles, illnesses like Parkinson's disease, diabetes, or multiple sclerosis can harm the nerves that control the bladder. Diseases like arthritis that could make it challenging to use the restroom on time. Pelvic organ prolapse is the movement of pelvic organs into the vagina or anus from their usual position, including the bladder, rectum, or uterus. The bladder and urethra cannot function normally when pelvic organs are misaligned, which may result in urine leakage.

The prostate gland is primarily to blame for male incontinence. Male incontinence can result from:

·         A painful prostate gland inflammation known as prostatitis

·         Surgery-related injury or damage to the nerves or muscles

·         A prostatic enlargement that may result in benign prostate hyperplasia, a disorder in which the prostate enlarges as men age

Types of urinary incontinence

When pressure is applied to the bladder, such as during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy things, stress incontinence develops when pee leaks. In younger and middle-aged women, it is the most typical form of bladder control issue. It might also start later, perhaps right around menopause

Urge incontinence is the inability to keep pee in the bladder long enough to reach the bathroom when a person has an urgent need to urinate. People with diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or stroke may experience difficulties with it.

When the bladder is constantly full, overflow incontinence occurs when little volumes of urine slip out. If a man's enlarged prostate is obstructing his urethra, he may have problems emptying his bladder. This kind of incontinence can also be brought on by diabetes and spinal cord damage. Many older persons with normal bladder control experience functional incontinence. They simply struggle to get to the restroom due to conditions like arthritis or other slow-moving conditions.