Aging and incontinence can be a difficult and uncomfortable topic to discuss, but it’s important to be aware of the issues that can arise due to aging.
Incontinence is a common problem among older adults, and it can lead to discomfort, embarrassment, and a decrease in quality of life. There is also an amount of shame that comes with the situation and that shame can help seniors from seeking help or solutions. Moreover, this embarrassment can lead senior citizens to withdraw and avoid their usual activities for fear of an accident.
What Is Incontinence?
Incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control. Incontinence can be caused by a variety of medical conditions, including urinary tract infections, bladder weakness, constipation, neurological disorders, among others. There are even some medications that can cause incontinence for short periods of time.
Incontinence becomes more common as one ages due to weakened muscles in the pelvic area. When the muscles in the bladder and surrounding areas do not work as properly as they should, urine can then leak. This is what is referred to as urinary incontinence.
How to manage Incontinence?
Luckily, there are a few ways to help mitigate and manage incontinence.
Exercise
Exercise is one way to help strengthen the pelvic muscles which in turn help in controlling bladder leakage.
Kegel exercises are a specific pelvic floor exercise that helps strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and helps treat incontinence problems. To perform a kegel exercise, you can imagine that you are trying to stop yourself from passing gas. When you feel some muscles tighten and squeeze, and feel “pull” near your vaginal or rectal area, that is a kegel.
Diet
Additionally, dietary changes such as avoiding certain foods and drinks that irritate the bladder or cause diarrhea can help reduce symptoms associated with incontinence.
While it is still important to drink the necessary amounts of water, especially throughout Houston's shifty weather and usual heat, it's important to keep track of how much liquid is going into the body during certain time frames.
Alcohol
Alcohol has a direct impact on the function of the bladder as it not only adds to the overall liquid that you have in your system, but the alcohol can also disrupt signals to the bladder. The more alcohol you have on board, the more likely your bladder is to misread or not receive signals to hold it in and are more likely to have an accident.
So be mindful when enjoying a Houston Astros or Houston Rocket's game and keep track of the alcohol you put into your system.
Speak to a Professional
It’s also important to talk to a doctor if you are experiencing any form of urinary incontinence so there can be a properly diagnosed solution to the problem. This will allow you to have treatments that make sense for your body and lifestyle. Medications, physical therapy, and even surgery may be recommended depending on your individual situation.
While aging and incontinence can present difficult challenges for older adults, there are ways to reduce symptoms and discomfort associated with this condition. With proper care and treatment, older adults can still enjoy life with improved quality of life despite aging-related issues such as incontinence.
Here at Christian Companions Houston, we know that topics such as incontinence can be difficult subjects to broach while caring for a loved one. That’s why we offer professional, in-home care services that are catered specifically to your aging seniors’ needs. Reach out to us today to learn more so we can create a personalized plan for the senior citizen in your life.