What is Incontinence and Why Do I Suffer This?

Incontinence describes any accidental or involuntary loss of urine (wee) or faeces (poo) being small or large amount.

It is a common condition that can affect people of all ages, though it is more prevalent among older adults. It encompasses the accidental or involuntary loss of urine or faeces which can range from small leaks to complete loss of bladder or bowel control. This condition can stem from a variety of causes, contributing to its occurrence in different forms and severities.

Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is not an inevitable result of aging, but it is particularly common in older people. It is often caused by specific changes in body function, such as general aging and the bodies deterioration of body function or other things such as diseases, use of medications and/or the onset of an illness, vaginal or penial infection, or irritation. Sometimes it is the first and only symptom of a urinary tract infection.

What are the Symptoms of Bladder Control Problems?

Bladder control problems encompass a range of urinary incontinence symptoms that can significantly affect an individual's quality of life. These symptoms are diverse, and their severity can vary widely from person to person. Here's an expanded look at common symptoms associated with poor bladder control:

You are leaking urine during everyday activities

This involves leaking urine during activities that increase pressure inside the abdomen and on the bladder. Common triggers include lifting heavy objects, bending, coughing, laughing, sneezing, or engaging in physical activities like exercise.

You are unable to hold in urine after feeling a sudden, strong urge to urinate

A sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. This may occur even if the bladder isn't full. People may find they need to urinate often, including throughout the night, and the urge can be triggered by a sudden change in position.

You leak urine without any warning or urge

This occurs without the usual sensations signaling the need to urinate or physical stressors on the bladder. This condition can be particularly distressing and perplexing, often resulting from nerve damage, neurological disorders, severe overactive bladder (urge incontinence), or underlying conditions that impair the bladder's sensory feedback or control mechanisms.

Faecal Incontinence

Faecal incontinence is a term used to describe leakage from the bowel due to involuntary bowel movements. This includes diarrhoea and or constipation.

You may also find you have excessive wind or experience staining in your underwear.

What are the Symptoms of Faecal Problems?

Understanding symptoms of bowel control problems is crucial for recognising the condition and seeking appropriate treatment. Here, we delve into the common symptoms associated with faecal incontinence, providing insight into the challenges faced by those experiencing this often distressing condition.

You have sudden urges to poo that you cannot control

Experiencing sudden, intense needs to defecate that are beyond your control, indicating a disruption in the normal signalling and muscle control mechanisms of the bowel.

You soil yourself without realising you needed the toilet

Finding that you've passed stool without prior realisation or sensation that you needed to use the toilet, which may suggest a lack of sensory awareness or an inability to control bowel movements.

You sometimes leak poo – for example, when you fart

Accidentally leaking stool while passing gas, pointing to a weakened control over the anal sphincter or compromised integrity of the pelvic floor muscles

It happens to you every day or from time to time

A one-off "accident" when you're ill with diarrhoea is not usually a problem, but when the issue is present consistently on a daily basis or sporadically, at seemingly random intervals, a continence assessment may be necessary.

A continence assessment with Health N Home can help identify the cause of a person’s control issues so they can get the care and support they need to manage their incontinence. These assessments are carried out by Continence Nurse Specialists who specialise in blader and bowel management depending on your condition. Health N Home can provide you with a nursing assessment for urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence, or both.