Bowel and bladder incontinence Flashcards
(21 cards)
What is bowel/bladder incontinence?
The accidental or involuntary release of urine or feces.
What are the types of incontinence?
Stress incontinence, Urge incontinence, Mixed incontinence and Overflow incontinence.
Define ‘urgency’
The sudden desire to void
Define ‘frequency’
Passing of urine seven or more times a day, or being awoken from sleep more than once to void
What is stress incontinence?
Abdominal pressure occurs during coughing, sneezing, laughing, etc
What is urge incontinence?
Inability to hold the flow of urine when feeling the urge to void
What is mixed incontinence?
Combination of both stress and urge incontinence symptoms
What is overflow incontinence?
Retention of overflow with small amounts of urine
What are some causes of stress incontinence?
Weak pelvic floor muscles, pregnancy, age, obesity, and childbirth
What are some causes of urge incontinence?
Overactivity of detrusor muscles, CNS problems, urinary stones, tumour pressing against the bladder
What are some causes of overflow incontinence?
Obstruction or blockage of the bladder, enlarged prostate gland, tumour pressing against the bladder, urinary stones, and constipation
Pathophysiology of incontinence
Incontinence of the bladder happens when the pelvic muscles get traumatised through overstretching or tearing, and it leads to the weakness of the muscles. And as time goes by, those muscles become weaker until they cannot support the bladder anymore. When there is high pressure from the abdomen, such as coughing, sneezing, lifting or pushing heavy things, the bladder forces urine to pass through the urethral sphincter, causing incontinence.
List some factors that affect incontinence
- Alzhiemers
- Dementia
- Type 2 Diabetes
- IBS
- Old age
How can diabetes lead to incontinence?
Diabetes can cause nerve damage, which can lead to loss of sensation, meaning difficulty sensing when the bladder is full, which can lead to accidental leaking. And bladder dysfunction where the bladder is unable to contract or relax properly, leading to urinary frequency and urgency incontinence.
How can hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) lead to incontinence?
Hyperglycemia can lead to the kidneys working harder to filter glucose, causing the bladder to be overwhelmed, which leads to frequent urination and incontinence.
How can obesity lead to incontinence?
The excess weight can put pressure on the bladder and pelvic floor muscles.
How can diuretic medications lead to incontinence?
Medications with diuretic effect can increase urination, potentially leading to incontinence.
How can the intake of caffeine lead to incontinence?
Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it increases urine production, which increases frequency, potentially leading to incontinence.
What is caffeine’s impact on the bladder?
Caffeine can irritate the bladder lining and potentially cause involuntary bladder contractions, contributing to urge incontinence.
How can the intake of alcohol lead to incontinence?
Alcohol has diuretic effects, which can also lead to increased urine production and frequency.
Treatment options for urinary continence in the elderly
Lifestyle changes such as :
1. Bladder training
2. Kegel exercises
3. Dietary changes
4. Weight management
5. Fluid intake management
