Incontinence And A Normal Life; Fact Or Fiction?

A lot of people seem to think that incontinence is a modern-day condition or that it is much more common nowadays. And, very few people believe that you can have incontinence and a normal life. Believe it or not, incontinence has been around for centuries. Like many other health conditions, it just seems more common because people understand it better or are a little more open about it.

That being said, that it is more common nowadays is certainly true. And, not at all because it’s a growing disease or condition. It’s more common because the average age of the population is quite a lot higher than it was fifty or more years ago and people are living much longer.

Life expectancy in the US has increased from around 71 years in 1970 to just over 79 years in 2022. Over the same period, the average age of the population has risen from 28.1 years to 38.5 years. It's not difficult to see that there would be more incontinence cases now. Purely because there are so many more people that are of the age where they’re susceptible to it.

Unfortunately, the majority of people feel embarrassed about their incontinence. To such an extent that it has quite a significant impact on their quality of life. A disturbingly large number of people cannot incontinence and a normal life so they withdraw from society to some degree. People often feel ashamed and avoid going out at all in some cases. This can have a knock-on effect on their overall health and wellbeing.

The silver lining, though, is that, despite the ongoing stigma, incontinence can be successfully treated and/or managed. Incontinence and a normal life are not mutually exclusive. Many people can adjust to the new challenges and lead a normal and socially engaged life. There are a number of options to treat incontinence or at the very least to reduce the severity. In addition, the modern technology of incontinence products such as adult diapers, allows people to contain the problem very discreetly.

Treatment options

For most people, the first step would be to acknowledge the condition and seek medical advice. This is far easier said than done, though. Many people avoid medical advice for several years because they’re embarrassed by the condition or they’re afraid to confront the uncomfortable truth.

The fact is that, once diagnosed, treatment options can be considered if any are applicable. Treatment will depend on the type and severity of the condition. In some cases, treatment may not work at all. In such cases, the next step is to look at ways to manage the condition and reduce the negative impact on the life of the patient.

Various factors need to be considered before deciding on any treatment plan:

• The type and severity of the condition.
  
  
• The age of the patient as well as their medical history.
  
  
• The prognosis of the condition if left untreated.

Possible impediments to medication or therapy. These would include allergies, physical condition or general health issues.

There are many treatment options and typically, the least invasive options should be considered first.

Behavioral changes such as bladder training or toilet scheduling teach the patient to control the urge to void and helps the patient get into the habit of voiding at regular intervals.

Dietary changes such as avoiding alcohol and caffeine may reduce bladder stimulation.

Strengthening the pelvic muscle and, more generally, the muscles in the pelvic area can improve control over the bladder and eliminate or reduce leakages. Kegel exercises are most commonly recommended and, in some cases, electric shock therapy may be used to induce muscle contractions.

Estrogen or anticholinergic medications are often very successful in treating an overactive bladder. As with any medication, there may be side effects that render this option unsuitable for some patients.

Finally, if all else fails, surgery may be the only way out. Surgical solutions include slings or bladder suspension, injecting synthetic compounds that lift and support the urethra and create a tighter closure of the bladder or implanting a small device that stimulates the sacral nerve which controls the muscles around the pelvic area.

Managing Incontinence 

Of course, there will inevitably be some patients for whom treatment just doesn’t work. These individuals have no choice but to manage the condition. Fortunately, incontinence and a normal life are within reach. Many people are able to adapt and to go about their daily lives, albeit with some degree of inconvenience.

There is no denying that lifestyle changes may be needed for someone to live with incontinence. However, this is more often than not, not an insurmountable task. A little bit of preparation and planning will often be enough to ease the stress and self-consciousness of maintaining an active and social lifestyle.

The market for incontinence has grown exponentially in recent times. There are hundreds of products available nowadays to cater for almost any aspect of incontinence. These products fall into two major categories:

• Devices that prevent bladder leaks or help to control voiding of the bladder
  
  
• Products that absorb fluid and contain accidental leakages

In the first category we have products like clamps that restrict the flow of urine or catheters that constantly drain urine into a bag attached to the leg or hip. This bag can be emptied when full or at regular intervals to prevent overflowing. Various other devices are available that all achieve similar objectives.

The other category is absorbent products. The invention of super absorbent polymers (SAPs) has been a game changer in this industry. The range of products available in this category is vast. For a first-time user it can be positively intimidating. We’re talking about adult diapers in pull-up or brief style, incontinence pants, liners and booster pads. And more.

To learn more about adult diapers, The Ultimate Guide to Adult Diapers is an invaluable resource. This guide explains the different types of products with pros and cons of each, how to measure for the best fit and how to select products for daytime or overnight use or for an active lifestyle and so forth.

If you’re still in doubt, you can get hold of the team at LL Medico. With more than 25 years’ experience in the field of incontinence, our trained assistants will walk you through all that you need to know. Call us at (855) 422-4556, drop us a line at [email protected], or on live chat us.