Ways to Help Incontinence

Incontinence is characterized by the accidental release of urine, known as urinary incontinence, or feces, known as fecal incontinence. Incontinence can be caused by a variety of underlying health conditions. Many treatment and prevention options are available for incontinence; proper treatment will address the specific type and cause.

Urinary Incontinence

• Urinary incontinence can be split into several categories based on the cause of urine leakage. Two common categories include stress incontinence, urine leakage induced by a strain on the body such as heavy lifting, sneezing or laughing violently, and urge incontinence, which occurs when a sudden imminent urge to urinate makes it difficult to find a toilet in time. One of the main reasons for urinary incontinence is the inability to control the bladder. Performing exercises and training to increase bladder control can help limit the impact of incontinence. Planning regular trips to the bathroom can also be a solution, especially for those who suffer from sudden urges to urinate, or disabilities that make it difficult for them to physically travel to the bathroom. Altering diet and liquid intake is another way to ease incontinence.

  For those with incontinence that does not respond to more conservative measures, certain medications may calm an overactive bladder, or surgical procedures can be done to strengthen and tighten the sphincter of the bladder to increase bladder control. If urinary incontinence cannot be overcome even with surgery, a soft tube called a catheter can be inserted into the urethra to drain the bladder of urine.

Fecal Incontinence

• Urinary incontinence is more common than fecal incontinence, but when fecal incontinence occurs it can be more severe as fecal material can easily cause bacterial infections. Fecal incontinence may occur in those who are constipated or have diarrhea; any damage to the anal sphincter muscle or nerves can also lead to fecal incontinence.

  For incontinence caused by diarrhea, taking anti-diarrhea medication and altering diet to include more fiber can help. For those with constipation using laxatives, stool softeners and drinking more water can help stools achieve normal consistency. Eating a diet high in fiber with a lot of water and consuming several small meals instead of fewer large ones is a way to prevent fecal incontinence.

  Similar to bladder training for urinary incontinence, training to control the bowels can increase sphincter strength and awareness of the need to defecate. In more severe cases, surgical procedures can used to bolster the strength of the sphincter, or even replace it with an artificial one. If fecal incontinence cannot be solved with normal treatment, a colostomy surgery can be used to create an opening in the abdomen that diverts fecal material into a special colostomy bag.