Understanding Incontinence
Continence is the ability to control your bladder and bowel. Incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder and bowel control.
Key statistic of Incontinence in Australia:
- Over 5 million Australians – 1 in 4 people aged 15 years or over – experience bladder or bowel control problems. This number is predicted to grow to 6.5 million by 2030.
- 80% of people with urinary incontinence are women.
- 1 in 3 women who ever had a baby wet themselves.
- Strong pelvic floor muscles are necessary for bladder and bowel control and good sexual function.
- Pelvic floor muscle exercises have been shown to prevent and treat incontinence at any age.
- Less than 2 out of 10 women (17.6%) do their pelvic floor exercises daily.
- 70% of people experience incontinence do not seek help.
- Bladder and bowel control problems are not a natural part of ageing or having a baby.
- Incontinence can have long-term physical and emotional impact; affecting self-esteem, motivation and independence.
Types of Incontinence
Urinary incontinence
People who experience accidental or involuntary loss of urine (wee) from the bladder may have urinary incontinence.
There are different types of urinary incontinence. The following are the most common:
- Urge incontinence
- Stress incontinence
- Urinary retention
- Functional incontinence
- Nocturia
- Post micturition incontinence
Faecal incontinence
People who experience accidental or involuntary loss of faeces (poo) or flatus (wind) from the bowel (including excessive wind) may be experiencing faecal incontinence.
Who It Affects
Men
An estimated 30 per cent of men who visit the doctor are affected by incontinence yet more than two thirds do not discuss the issue. This includes post micturition (after dribble) incontinence, male pelvic floor muscle and prostate issues.
Women
Women make up 80 per cent of people who report living with incontinence, with many experiencing problems after childbirth and menopause. Topics include menopause, female pelvic floor, pregnancy, childbirth and prolapse.
Teenagers and young adult
20,000 – 60,000 Australian teenagers experience some form of incontinence. These figures include teenagers that experience urinary incontinence (daytime wetting, bedwetting), faecal incontinence (soiling) or a combination of these issues.
Children
If children aged 4 years and over experience regular incontinence (day wetting, bedwetting or soiling), advice from a health professional is recommended.
Medical Conditions
Some medical conditions can increase the risk of developing either urinary or faecal incontinence. Conditions include chronic heart failure, dementia, diabetes, parkinson’s, stroke, arthritis, mental health.
Management
Incontinence is a common condition. There are many ways to make things easier if you are living with incontinence. Some planning can help you to live your life.
Continence products
For some people, it is necessary to use continence products such as pads, pants, catheters, sheath (condom) drainage, or bed protection to manage their incontinence.
Creating a routine
Work with a Nurse Continence Specialist to plan for everyday life with incontinence and manage those occasional accidents.
Toilet accessibility
If you find that sometimes you (or a person you are caring for) have difficulty reaching the toilet in time there are things you can do to help:
- Using the toilet at home
- Toilet alternatives
- Commodes
- Hand held urinals
Travel tips
Travel can be one of the joys of life (and sometimes a necessity) but if you’re coping with incontinence it can also be an anxious time. With a little planning you can make your trip so much more enjoyable.