An estimated 25 million Americans suffer from some form of incontinence at some point during their lives. It is generally thought to be a more common issue for the elderly than for younger adults, but the truth is that many people under the age of 50 experience this persistent and sometimes embarrassing physical malady.
An incontinent individual has little to no control over the release of urine and/or feces, often at unexpected times. Visible leakage of urine in a public place can be extremely awkward and distressing, leading to a decreased sense of self-esteem and confidence. For this reason, many sufferers choose to wear absorbent pads or adult diapers to protect against undesirable social situations.
According to the National Association for Continence, the inability to hold one's bladder or bowels is not considered a normal part of aging that should simply be accepted as one grows older.
That being said, many elderly people, particularly those who reside in nursing homes, suffer from functional incontinence. This occurs when there is some mental or physical reason the individual is unable to reach the bathroom in time before urine is released. An example of the functional variety might include a man whose stiff, aching joints make it difficult or impossible to get up from a chair or bed in order to walk to the toilet.
Your doctor will perform a number of tests and assessments before offering a diagnosis. You may be asked about any family members that suffer from incontinence as well as any diseases that may run in your immediate family. Menopause and prostate problems will likely be considered as potential risk factors for women and men respectively. Certain foods, drinks, spices and medications can stimulate or aggravate your bladder, causing you to experience a sudden, strong urge to urinate. Excessive stress on the bladder can have a similar effect, weakening integral muscles over the course of time.
Treatment and any prescribed therapy are first aimed at helping to manage the symptoms and social stigma that often accompanies such a condition. Pelvic floor exercises, called Kegels, can help you strengthen the pubococcygeus, or PC muscles, over time. These are the muscles that control the flow of urine in both women and men. Only in rare cases, in which all other treatment and therapy methods have failed to correct the problem, surgery may be recommended.