Parkinson’s Disease Incontinence Guide

Managing Parkinson’s Disease and Incontinence

 

The diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease can be devastating. Besides the negative effects on balance and movement, this dreadful disease can affect our body’s ability to store and/or release urine. As if the challenges associated with Parkinson’s Disease aren’t bad enough, the inability to voluntarily control urine can lead to embarrassing episodes of incontinence and even isolation, as well as the risk of skin breakdown and infection. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to help combat some of these effects. Let’s look at managing Parkinson’s Disease and associated incontinence.

Types of Incontinence

Surprise, surprise…there is more than one type of incontinence that those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease may experience. These include:

• Urge Incontinence: This type of incontinence comes with a sudden/intense need to urinate. Those with Parkinson’s experience this type frequently due to Parkinson’s interrupting the way the brain interacts with the nervous system.
• Nocturia: As you may have guessed, this type of incontinence happens when Parkinson’s patients are asleep. This can interrupt sleep patterns and have secondary effects such as insomnia, balance issues, and falls.
• Constipation: This type of incontinence associated with Parkinson’s Disease can lead to hard/dry stool, liquid or loose stool, and pain.
• Overflow Incontinence: This is caused by urine leaking due to an overly full bladder caused by incomplete emptying.

So, what are usually the first signs of Parkinson’s, and how does incontinence play into the diagnosis?

Early Symptoms of Parkinson's Associated Incontinence

Unfortunately, early signs can be mild and even overlooked. Often, these symptoms start on one side of the body and progress to the other side. Early symptoms can be:

• Tremors
• Poor balance/coordination
• Muscle stiffness
• Loss of automatic movements, such as blinking or swinging arms while walking
• Loss of smell
• Sleep disorders

Managing Incontinence with Parkinson’s Disease

If you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, how do you manage a condition like incontinence? When treating any incontinence, the least invasive treatment is where you should start and progress to more invasive procedures should you need it. Steps to take to manage incontinence for those with Parkinson’s Disease can include lifestyle changes and Parkinson’s incontinence products such as:

1. Have a bathroom schedule

This is when someone with Parkinson’s Disease is taken to the bathroom at scheduled times to empty their bladder. A diary can also be kept to determine the urination schedule. Our bodies can be trained in order to control urinary incontinence. This way, we can manage when our bladders need to be emptied.

2. Kegels or other pelvic floor exercises

These exercises have been shown to help the general population with incontinence and can be useful for those with Parkinson’s Disease. Pelvic floor stimulators and other exercises can strengthen pelvic muscles to control urine flow. Those with advanced Parkinson’s Disease may find this difficult.

3. Eat a balanced diet

Be sure to eat foods and drinks that promote urinary system or bowel health. Try eating foods that include lean proteins, whole grains, fiber-rich breads, nuts, and berries. This can help with your bathroom schedule and help maintain a healthy weight.

4. Bladder diary

Simply record when and how often you go to the bathroom and if any food/drinks trigger the need to urinate more frequently. This can help determine when you need to void your bladder more often. This can help with your bathroom schedule and alert you when you urinate most. Maybe after dinner or during sleep times. Often, temperature and liquid intake can be urination triggers.

5. Medication avoidance

Some medications, such as diuretics or antihistamines, can increase urination frequency. Other medications that may cause you to urinate more frequently include furosemide, tricyclic antidepressants, and antipsychotics, all of which can affect the excretion of salt/fluid and interfere with nerve signals that control urination.

6. Adult briefs

Many of today’s adult briefs are great at wicking moisture away from the skin, keeping your skin drier. This can help minimize skin breakdown and potential infection. Many are available in pull-up and tab style to match your lifestyle and activity level. Most importantly, they keep any incontinent moisture from negatively impacting your skin!!

7. Underpads

Protecting furniture, such as chairs or mattresses, can avoid embarrassment and costly replacement. Reusable and disposable Underpads can help protect your furniture from Parkinson’s Disease-related incontinence. Used along with adult briefs, these can be an effective barrier against incontinence related to Parkinson’s Disease.

When to Seek Medical Treatment

You should see your doctor if your incontinence becomes problematic. While Parkinson’s Disease can cause incontinence, your doctor needs to determine if there is another issue lurking, such as a urinary tract infection.

Reference:

• Urinary Incontinence - Parkinson's Foundation 
• Parkinson’s And Bladder Problems - Bladder and Bowel Community 
• Understanding Bladder Symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease – What You Need to Know
• Bladder Dysfunction in Parkinson’s Disease
• Parkinson's disease - Mayo Clinic 
• 10 Lesser-Known Parkinson's Disease Symptoms - Michael J Fox Foundation 
• Planning for the What-Ifs: Bowel and Bladder Issues in Advanced Parkinson’s Disease 
• The Urinary Tract & How It Works - NIH  

 

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