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URINARY INCONTINENCE:
WHAT IS IT AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT
IT !
Few issues are taboo in Canadian society in the
1990s. One issue however, that still is not discussed freely, even between
individuals and their health care providers, is urinary incontinence.
Urinary incontinence is an involuntary loss of urine. As an adult, not
being able to make it to the bathroom in time or feeling the need to go
every fifteen minutes, can be a devastating experience that many people
live with, in silence.
Urinary incontinence can range from just losing
a few dribbles of urine to completely wetting your clothing. As a result,
people who are incontinent begin to live their lives around where the
nearest bathroom is located. Their lives become more restricted and they
are embarrassed to explain their situation to friends and family. They
often start feeling isolated and depressed.
Urinary incontinence is often thought of as being
a normal part of getting older and that is not correct. This idea
contributes to individuals not seeking help. Urinary incontinence is your
clue that there is another health problem present that requires attention.
Urinary incontinence can happen to adults of any age and it is estimated
that over one million Canadians suffer from incontinence.
The good news is help is available. Urinary incontinence
can be treated and cured, or at the very least, better managed. The first
step in seeking help is making an appointment with a health care provider
to talk about your situation. It is important to ensure that your health
care provider has a particular interest in and knowledge about incontinence.
Your health care provider will ask you a series
of questions related to the incontinence and do a physical examination
to help determine the cause of your incontinence. Sometimes other tests
are ordered as well. Once all the necessary information is collected,
the most appropriate treatment for you will be discussed so that you can
make a decision about how you wish to proceed. Treatments range from exercises
to changing bathroom habits to taking medications with surgery as another
option. Most urinary incontinence can be treated with measures other than
surgery.
Many cases of urinary incontinence can be prevented,
depending on the cause. Here are six tips to keep in mind to help you
keep a healthy bladder:
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Drink enough fluid on a daily basis.
For healthy individuals with no fluid restrictions, calculate your
required intake by using your weight in pounds and dividing that number
by two. The resulting number is the number of ounces of fluid that
your body requires every twenty four hours. For example, if you weigh
160 pounds, divide that number by two to get 80. That is the number
of ounces of fluid that your body requires every twenty four hours.
The average glass contains 8 ounces so divide 80 by 8 ounces and you
get 10 glasses of fluid. You may get some of that fluid from the food
you eat but remember to drink. Water is best. Try to avoid drinks
containing caffeine such as tea, coffee, and cola pop. Don=t
wait until you are feeling thirsty to drink. Discuss this tip with
your health care provider to ensure that you don=t
have a condition requiring fluid restriction. Then develop a plan
that works for you so that you remind yourself to drink the amount
of fluid your body requires every day.
-
Pay attention to your body=s
signals. When you get the urge to empty your bladder, do
it within ten minutes. Not paying attention to your body=s
signals decreases your ability to do so over time.
-
Prevent constipation. How?
Drink enough fluids. Eat a diet high in fibre including foods such
as raw fruits, vegetables and bran cereals. Exercise - that means
twenty minutes of exercise a day or if that is not possible, try tightening
and relaxing your abdominal muscles 25 times after you go to bed.
Finally, when you feel the urge to have a bowel movement try to respond
immediately.
-
Stop smoking. Cigarette smokers
cough more frequently and put more pressure on abdominal contents,
including the bladder. This contributes to urinary incontinence. Over
time, the risk of incontinence is increased in smokers, particularly
in women who smoke.
-
Maintain a healthy body weight.
A large abdomen increases pressure on the bladder and increases your
risk for urinary incontinence.
-
Talk to your health care provider
about exercises that you can do to prevent urinary incontinence.
These exercises are called pelvic floor muscle or Kegel exercises.
Keep yourself informed about urinary incontinence.
Talk to your health care provider about what you have read in this article.
Seek out sources of accurate and easy to understand information. One excellent
source of information is the Simon Foundation for Continence. Their toll
free telephone number 1-800-265-9575 makes access to information easier.
Remember that urinary incontinence is not
a normal part of healthy aging. If you are experiencing urinary incontinence
or have any questions about it don=t
suffer in silence. Contact a knowledgeable health care provider and have
your concerns addressed.
Article by Joanne Fitzgibbon, R.N., M.Sc
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Southeastern Regional Geriatric Program
St. Mary=s
of the Lake Hospital, Kingston, Ontario.
For information or referrals to the Regional Geriatric
Program please call:
1-800-214-5848
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