subject: Incontinence Defined [print this page] With an aging world wide population, and particularly the aging of the Baby Boomers, incontinence is coming out of the closet as a subject of conversation and is now appearing on a television ad near you. That is to say two types of incontinence are, stress and more often urge or over active bladder incontinence because the pharmaceutical companies have jumped on the bandwagon and developed a number of medications.
But just what is the definition if incontinency and are there really only two kinds? The answer is that there are five principal types and the definitions are listed below.
Stress Incontinence
This is the involuntary discharge of urine cause by stresses placed on the bladder. This condition is normally associates with weak muscles in the pelvic floor of the abdomen. Outside "stresses" can be as simple as a sneeze or a laugh.
Urge Incontinence
This condition, often times referred to, especially in the ads as over active bladder is typically brought on by misfiring nerve endings that tend to make the bladder spasm and discharge urine involuntarily. Obviously there are medications to treat this condition but there are also changes in lifestyle that can lessen and manage the problem.
Overflow Incontinence
This passing of urine is caused by a bladder that cannot fully empty itself. While the bladder may think its empty, the body keeps sending urine. The result is the urine backs up creating enough pressure on the urethra for force leakage.
Faecal Incontinency
This condition takes on two forms, persistent flatulence and the involuntary passing of a stool. Causes of this condition can vary from chronic constipation to damage nerves and sphincter muscles. This condition is the number one reason the elderly are admitted to nursing homes.
Functional Incontinency
The name says it all. If a person simply is unable to use a bathroom because they have lost their mobility, or if their mental state becomes so diminished that they no longer recognize the signals that they need to go, they suffer from functional incontinence.
There are treatments and products available for all 5 types and there is no reason that your life has to be altered dramatically simply because you have the condition.
