Urinary Incontinence - Causes and Tips

“Urinary incontinence means a person leaks urine by accident. While it may happen to anyone, urinary incontinence is more common in older people, especially women. Incontinence can often be cured or controlled. Talk to your healthcare provider about what you can do.” - National Institute of Health (NIH)

In the article at this link the NIH gives helpful advice about urinary incontinence, including:

Causes of urinary incontinence
How urinary incontinence is diagnosed
Types of urinary incontinence
Treatment of urinary incontinence
Incontinence and Alzheimer’s Disease
Managing urinary incontinence

Talking to your Doctor

It's important to talk to your doctor about your incontinence so you can receive appropriate advice and treatment. The National Association for Continence provides tips about how to talk with your doctor about your incontinence.

Your doctor may ask you to keep a bladder diary. You can download a diary format from the National Association for Continence.

Finding the Right Incontinence Products

The National Association for Continence provides advice about choosing the right incontinence products for your situation, including:

Form
Fit
Function

They also offer ideas for keeping the bed dry.

Tips for a Healthy Bladder

The National Institute of Health recommends 13 Tips for a Healthy Bladder:

Drink enough fluids, especially water
Limit alcohol and caffeine
Quit smoking
Avoid constipation
Keep a healthy weight
Exercise regularly
Do pelvic floor muscle exercises
Use the bathroom often and when needed
Take enough time to fully empty the bladder when urinating
Be in a relaxed position while urinating
Wipe from front to back after using the toilet
Urinate after sex
Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothes

How Care is There can Help:

Help your loved one make an appointment with their healthcare providers to determine the cause of their incontinence
Be present with your loved one at their appointments with healthcare providers. Ensure the health care provider has all the information they need, and record next steps for treatment.
Help your loved one implement the instructions of health care providers
Help your loved one implement lifestyle changes for a healthy bladder
Help choose and obtain incontinence supplies appropriate for your loved one’s needs
Help your loved one obtain a better price for incontinence supplies than the price charged by their senior living community
Help choose and manage personal care aides to assist with dressing and bathing, if necessary
Help choose a residential care community, if desired

Resources for Urinary Incontinence:

Next Steps

Is your loved one struggling with urinary incontinence?

Contact Care is There today for a free consultation!

Charlottesville Area: 434.326.5323
Shenandoah Valley: 540. 246.0211
Toll Free: 800.434.1633
Email: Info@CareisThere.com

Urinary Incontinence – Causes and Tips