Incontinence Guide

Identify Your Type of Incontinence for Best Results

The inability to control your bladder and urine is defined as incontinence. Unfortunately, this only tells part of the story. Did you realize that there were six different types of incontinence? I bet not!! I sure didn’t. In developing a management plan for your incontinence it is truly wise to identify and understand the type of incontinence you suffer from in order to create a plan that is designed for your type of incontinence and has the highest chance of success. Let us here at HPFY help you create an  incontinence management plan by identifying your type of incontinence.

Incontinence May Be Frustrating

It may seem relatively harmless, but incontinence is not just an inconvenience or embarrassing, but a serious medical predicament. Chronic incontinence can lead to dangerous health concerns down the road. Some of these serious health issues can include:

• Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
• Skin Breakdowns
• Falls (rushing to the toilet)

Adding these medical issues to other negative aspects of urinary incontinence makes this issue one that requires a specific plan in order to stay healthy. Unfortunately, managing incontinence may require a little trial and error and, more importantly, targeting of your specific type of incontinence.

Wiesner Incontinence Clamp	Medline FitRight Personal Cleansing Wipes

Just as different types of incontinence are unique, the management plans for treating them are also individually unique. Work with your urologist to identify your type of incontinence by being forthright and truthful about any symptoms you may have. The creation of an incontinence plan designed to be effective can only succeed if the proper type of incontinence is identified. Be truthful and stay dry!!

What are the most common type of incontinence?

In order to come up with an effective plan for managing your incontinence, it truly is important to identify the specific type of incontinence you suffer from. Each different type of incontinence has its own characteristics and underlying causes, so in order to have an effective and successful incontinence management plan the need to target your specific type of incontinence becomes paramount. Adult briefs, personal wipes, and even incontinence clamps can be part of your management plan once you identify your type of incontinence. There are several specific types of incontinence and they can include:

1. Stress Incontinence

This type of incontinence involves the involuntary release of urine when there is physical pressure placed on the bladder. This pressure can be caused by coughing, laughing, sneezing, or even exercise. Basically, this type of incontinence is caused by physical events and not psychological issues.

2. Urge incontinence

Incontinence that is characterized by a sudden, strong need to urinate is considered urge incontinence. This sudden urge is accompanied by the bladder squeezing or spasming, therefore releasing urine uncontrollably. This type of incontinence is often called overactive bladder (OAB). This can because by neurological disorders, diabetes, and even acute UTIs.

3. Mixed Incontinence:

Often incontinence sufferers have symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence. Many of the causes include nerve/muscle problems, urinary system blockages, and dementia or other mental health issues.

4. Overflow Incontinence

This occurs when the sufferer is unable to completely empty their bladder. More common in men, it can because by an enlarged prostate and can lead to an increase in bacteria and a greater rate of urinary tract infections. Other causes include nerve damage, blockage of the urethra, and certain medications (antidepressants, anticonvulsants, etc.

5. Reflex Incontinence

Characterized by urine leakage due to bladder spasms, this type of urinary incontinence is often the result of neurological impairments such as multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, or damage from surgery or radiation treatment. This can also happen when the nerves that alert the brain are damaged, therefore allowing for involuntary urine leakage.

6. Functional Incontinence

In a properly functioning urinary system, an illness or disability can cause the leakage of urine. Often an illness can make you unaware of the need to urinate. This can also be caused by medications, dementia, and even mental illness, therefore causing urinary incontinence.

Just as different types of incontinence are unique, the management plans for treating them are also individually unique. Work with your urologist to identify your type of incontinence by being forthright and truthful about any symptoms you may have. The creation of an incontinence plan designed to be effective can only succeed if the proper type of incontinence is identified. Be truthful and stay dry!!

 

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