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Do you sometimes have to rush off to the toilet with barely a moment's notice, or do you need to go to the toilet more and more often during the day - and perhaps during the night as well? Is your bladder or bowel control preventing you from doing the things you love?.
If you answer yes to any of these questions then you're in very good company. Incontinence is the medical term applied to bladder control problems or the leakage of urine; and it's a very common and distressing condition.
There are well over one million adults in this country who experience incontinence every day of the year. As well, more than 100,000 children wet the bed each night.
There are well over one million adults in this country who experience incontinence every day of the year. As well, more than 100,000 children wet the bed each night. The recent National Continence Awareness Week highlighted the extent of the problem and identified ways to prevent or control it.
Studies show that women are seven or eight times more likely to be affected by incontinence than men. In fact, most women at some stage in life will experience incontinence, even if only mild in nature. Even so, men are not immune from plumbing problems - prostate gland enlargement is frequently the cause.
As we get older, incontinence becomes more prevalent and more severe. More than half of all residents in nursing homes - both men and women - have bladder control problems. However, the news is not all bad. Great progress has been made in the treatment of common bladder control problems using simple exercises and bladder training programs. With proper assessment and treatment, incontinence can sometimes be cured, often improved and always made more manageable.
Yet, less than 40% of people with incontinence ever seek professional help. Perhaps this is because they are too embarrassed or too busy. Possibly they think nothing can be done or that it is normal with ageing or after childbirth.
"Waterworks Education" is one of the major aims of the Continence Foundation of Australia. This national organisation also seeks to assist people with bladder control problems and to promote and fund research into the causes, prevention and management of incontinence.
Remember, incontinence is a symptom - not a disease. So it is important to find out what is causing this symptom. If you are affected, do not keep it a secret - discuss the matter with your GP. You may need to be referred to a specialist or a continence clinic.
There are several different types of incontinence. Stress incontinence is due to weak pelvic floor muscles when leakage occurs with sudden exertion - for instance, coughing, sneezing, laughing or lifting. So-called urge incontinence is due to overactive contractions of the bladder; it may be triggered by bladder infection or stress and anxiety. Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder becomes too full, possibly caused by an obstruction forcing the urine to dribble out.
You can get more information about incontinence by phoning the National Continence Helpline on 1800 330 066, or call in to your local Self Care pharmacy. Pharmacies around Australia providing the Self Care health information have a fact card titled Bladder and Urine Control. There are also fact cards on Prostate Problems and Pelvic Floor Exercises. They all contain helpful advice. For the location of your nearest Self Care Pharmacy call 1300 369 772 and ask for the Pharmacy Self Care Field Officer. |
