Incontinence

Incontinence is the unwanted or involuntary loss of bladder and/or bowel control. This is a symptom of a medical problem that is treatable and not simply part of the unavoidable aging process.

Incontinence is a common medical condition that affects approximately one in twelve Americans. Mostly older seniors are affected, but incontinence is also a concern of both sexes and all ages including children, young adults and half of all first-time pregnant women. Although people are often too embarrassed to discuss this problem with their physician or family, any medical professional would explain that it is a treatable condition.

Types of Urinary Incontinence

1. Stress incontinence is the leakage of urine that occurs when someone coughs, sneezes, laughs, lifts or bends (i.e., any physical activity that places pressure on the abdomen).
2. Urge incontinence occurs when a strong desire to urinate (i.e., the large bladder muscle is contracting on its own) results in an involuntary loss of urine.
3. Overflow incontinence is the excess urine that is produced beyond what the bladder can hold. The bladder can’t or won’t empty properly when full, causing this excess to continually dribble out.
4. Functional incontinence occurs when someone loses the ability to feel when their bladder is full.
5. Surgical incontinence is the result of a surgical procedure such as a hysterectomy, caesarean section, prostatectomy, lower intestinal or rectal.

Bowel Incontinence

Bowel incontinence is the involuntary loss of solid stool, liquid or gas from the rectum. Causes include diet, previous anal surgery, neurological disorders and metabolic disorders such as diabetes.

Incontinence Products

• Pads and Shields are for small loss of urine when laughing, coughing, sneezing, straining or pregnant. Usually this light incontinence is only a daytime problem.
• Guards are for temporary or long-term loss of bladder control after surgery, or when someone is unable to prevent urine leakage after feeling a strong urge to urinate. Leakage often occurs on the way to the bathroom.
• Undergarments are for frequent leakage usually of small amounts of urine, or for moderate loss of urine when laughing, coughing, sneezing or straining. Often this moderate incontinence is only a daytime problem.
• Briefs are for heavy or continuous urine leakage or heavy leakage at night or when lying down.

• Undergarments and Briefs are washable protective underwear that are made to use with liners and pads.
• Liners and Pads fit into the above washable undergarments and are either reusable/washable for light incontinence or disposable for moderate to heavy incontinence.

• Catheters are available for permanent loss of urine control. They are available as either external or internal devices.
• Urine Collection Devices include leg bags and overnight bags that hang from the bed.

Incontinence Resources

National Association for Continence (NAFC)
800-252-3337
www.nafc.org

The Simon Foundation for Continence
800 23-SIMON
www.simonfoundation.org