By Marianne Lyons Delorey, Ph.D.
“If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.” – Zig Ziglar
As a graduate student in 1992, I worked with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on a project around urinary incontinence. The objective was to reduce shame and isolation and educate people that there were treatments available and to make sure people knew how to talk to their doctors about this need.
Truthfully, it saddens me to see that there is still such a need for increasing awareness, reducing stigma, and educating around this topic. But it gladdens me that there are new treatments and new resources for people, and I hope to bring some to light here.
First, a review of the basic information about urinary incontinence (UI). Incontinence is the involuntary release of urine. UI becomes increasingly common with age. As with any other medical issue, there is no shame in talking to your doctor or others about how your body is functioning because treatments can make it better. However, admitting you need help is often the first step.
There are four main types of urinary incontinence.
- Stress incontinence: Urine loss happens when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising.
- Urge incontinence: Your urge to urinate is sudden and strong, like when you come home and put your key in the door but can’t make it to the toilet.
- Overflow incontinence: This happens when you don’t empty your bladder completely and you constantly dribble.
- Functional incontinence: People who have mobility impairments often can’t make it to the toilet in time not because of their bladder, but because their limitations get in the way.
Urinary incontinence can be caused or made worse by
- Temporary situations such as pregnancy, constipation, or UTIs.
- Specific intake such as alcohol or caffeine.
- Medical problems such as weakened pelvic floor, prostate issues, and nerve damage from diabetes.
But the most important thing to remember is that treatments exist. Progress can vary but you should talk to your doctor! Common treatments include:
- Pelvic floor exercises – often called Kegels after the doctor who first described them, these exercises can make a significant difference in the ability to hold urine for many people.
- Bladder training – Going at regular intervals can help prevent leakage.
- Lifestyle adjustments such as limiting caffeine and alcohol can reduce urine loss. Maintaining a healthy weight and drinking enough water can also help.
- Medications and surgery: Some people have found great relief with Botox treatments, surgery to lift the bladder, medications that add bulk to the bladder lining, and even inserts to give support to the muscles.
- There are physical and occupational therapists that specialize in helping people strengthen their pelvic floor and assist people in making other adjustments to their lives.
UI can be isolating. I know a lot of people who refuse to leave their home because they fear having an accident. They turn down jobs and opportunities to socialize.
UI can also be very costly. The cost of pads, liners, diapers, chucks, and repeatedly washing clothes and bed linens can be overwhelming. Although reusable products exist, they are an up-front cost and require regular laundering.
Senior living facilities should also care deeply about making sure people receive treatment for UI because the cost of trash removal plus the smell of urine are issues that affect the facility as well as the individuals living there.
Urinary Incontinence can be solved. Sometimes, UI is a forever problem, but progress can be made in many cases and lots of people no longer rely on pads or other products. Talk to your doctor today.
Don’t live with shame, Take aim!
Marianne Lyons Delorey, Ph.D. is the executive director of Colony Retirement Homes. She can be reached at 508-755-0444 or [email protected] and www.colonyretirementhomes.com.
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