Home > Help and Information > Incontinence - Coping With Daily Life > INCONTINENCE – LIVING WITH THE CONDITION – PART 1 >
INCONTINENCE – LIVING WITH THE CONDITION – PART 1
Incontinence is a distressing condition to suffer from, particularly if you are not able to manage the condition yourself. It’s bad enough not being able to control your own bladder and bowels, but if someone else is having to clean up after you, it can be humiliating.
There are things that you can do to help yourself, or someone you’re caring for, that will minimize the distress and discomfort all round, from understanding the condition, to using good routines and the right incontinence products, such as incontinence pads.
WHY DO PEOPLE BECOME INCONTINENT
Incontinence occurs when someone loses control of their bladder or bowels, and problems with the bladder are far more common. The condition is very often treatable, so while it’s important to deal with the symptoms with incontinence products, you should always speak to a GP as soon as you can.
The types of problem that can cause loss of control in the bladder include:
· In men – prostate gland trouble. This may be treated or an operation undertaken.
· A urinary tract infection, which can be treated by the GP.
· Constipation, which can cause pressure on the bladder. This can be treated by a change of diet, drinking plenty of water and taking exercise.
· A reaction to other medicines being taken. Informing a GP will allow the drugs or doses to be altered to alleviate the condition.
Loss of bowel control can sometimes be caused by severe constipation where diarrhea leaks out round the hard stool blocking the bowel.
DEALING WITH INCONTINENCE
Speaking to a GP may well result in a course of treatment that will stop the incontinence. However, if there is no obvious treatment (e.g. the incontinence is due to simply getting old and losing muscle control) the GP may also give advice on ways to manage the situation. This may include referring you to a community nurse or to a continence adviser. Either of these can visit you at home to discuss your situation and suggest ways for you to cope with the condition.
Return to the Incontinence Products Section.
« Back
| 
