|
Adult Incontinence
What It Is And How To Deal With It
Adult
incontinence is something that many seniors deal with. It
should be noted that incontinence is not a condition of normal aging though, so it isn't inevitable. However,
many conditions associated with aging can cause adult incontinence, and that is what makes this condition
extremely common in the elderly.
Adult incontinence can be a temporary occurrence or a
long term affliction depending upon the cause. For example, Urinary Tract Infections often cause
incontinence problems in the elderly, but once the infection is treated, normal bladder habits
resume. Bladder incontinence in the elderly is often associated with memory problems in Alzheimer's disease or some
other dementia, because the person simply forgets to use the toilet, or he loses awareness of his bodily
functions.
Some adults can control their bladders during the day but experience nocturia at
night. What is nocturia? It is a condition marked by the need to get up and urinate one or more times each night
causing disruption to the sleep cycle. Adult incontinence is not only about bladder issues either. Some people
deal with bowel incontinence as well. The problem may arise with bouts of diarrhea or with usual bowel
movements. Since there are many causes of diarrhea, and it can strike unexpectedly, this form of adult incontinence
can be especially troublesome and embarrassing.
An acute episode of incontinence should be checked out by a medical professional
since it could be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. However, many elderly people live with a
chronic problem that needs to be managed on an every day basis. There are many products on the market to help
with his.
Incontinence products that help protect the clothing and skin while controlling
odor include adult diapers, pads and briefs.
Wearing these allows incontinence suffers to go out in public without fear of having an embarrassing accident.
Mattress protectors are also helpful for dealing with bedwetting incidents. These can keep beds from being
ruined by urine or developing a bad smell. In the same way, furniture protectors can be used over chairs and
couches to keep them dry and clean.
Certain medical equipment can also be useful when dealing with incontinence,
urgency issues, and nocturia. For example, bedside commodes can be placed right next to the bed to lessen the risk of
falls while stumbling half asleep to find the bathroom in the dark. In more advanced cases of bladder problems,
a Foley
catheter or
condom catheter
(external) may be required.
However, in the case with internal catheters, a direct pathway is put in place for bacteria to enter the
urinary tract so it is essential to learn proper Foley catheter care to prevent this from happening.
Adult incontinence brings with it many issues. There are health concerns
associated with the development of bedsores and skin infections. There is also a greater risk for urinary tract
infections. In addition to that, it is often an embarrassing topic to discuss and seek help for which may cause
some people to suffer needlessly. Adult incontinence may be an annoying and unpleasant medical condition to
deal with on a daily basis, but thanks to the many products on the market today, it is often possible to
continue to live a full and active lifestyle in spite of it.
Return From Adult
Incontinence To Emergency Medical Alert
| 
