We need to talk about incontinence.
Though commonly viewed as taboo, incontinence is remarkably common and nothing to be ashamed of. In Australia it affects:
- 1 in 4 people, 15 years or over,
- 1 in 5 children,
- 1 in 3 women,
And
- 1 in 10 men.
We need to end the stigma! And we need to replace it with information, education, and awareness of how to treat and manage a condition that impacts, or will impact so many of us.
So, what is incontinence?
Incontinence can impact anyone but is closely associated with a range of chronic illnesses such as stroke, diabetes, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, and dementia. When caused by bladder weakness it involves an accidental or involuntary loss of urine which may vary in severity, from a small leak to a complete loss of bladder control. If caused by the bowels, it presents as leakage caused by involuntary bowel movements. It’s important to recognise that no matter how light the leakage is, it’s not normal and can (and should!) be addressed.
What causes incontinence?
There are a number of types of incontinence, which are caused by a range of factors.
Stress incontinence can be caused by a number of factors including exercise, laughing, sneezing, pregnancy, childbirth, or menopause. It is caused by a weakening of the pelvic floor muscles supporting the urethra or, in menopause, by a lower production of oestrogen resulting in the muscles allowing urine to pass through the urethra.
Urge incontinence occurs when your bladder feels more full than it is, resulting in a strong and sudden need to urinate. This form of incontinence is associated with ageing and stress, as well as caffeine and alcohol consumption.
Chronic retention refers to the inability of your bladder to empty properly, resulting in frequent leakage of small amounts of urine.
Functional incontinence occurs when a person does not recognise the need to go to the toilet.
Treating incontinence
Incontinence can impact your self-confidence, mental health, ability to socialise or exercise, and overall, can prevent you living your fullest, most enjoyable life. If you’ve experienced incontinence, it’s important to seek medical advice because while incontinence won’t go away on it’s own, there are plenty of options to help you manage your symptoms.
Treatment options will vary depending on the type of incontinence a person is experiencing. For instance, stress incontinence may be treated through lifestyle changes or simple exercises (Kegels) to strengthen the muscles supporting the bladder. Weight loss can also be important and other effective management strategies include bladder training, smoking cessation, and cutting down on bladder irritants like carbonated drinks, artificial sweeteners, and caffeine.
For severe symptoms, medications are available which can either help you regain bladder control or relax bladder muscles to help it to empty completely. Other interventions are also available and include urethra bulking, urethral slings, or artificial urinary sphincters. Like all medical decisions, however, these options are best discussed with a healthcare professional, so you can rest assured you’re getting the best treatment for your personal circumstances.
What products are available to help me manage incontinence?
In addition to medical treatment options, there are a range of products on the market to help maintain your comfort, and manage your symptoms. At WholeLife, we stock a range of MoliCare’s pull-up pants in a number of sizes, with various levels of absorbency. MoliCare Premium Mobile products are discreet and comfortable, look and feel like regular underwear, and offer high-level leakage protection while keeping the skin dry and pH balanced to help reduce risk of skin irritation.
Our WholeLife pharmacists are always happy to assist you to find the products that best suit your circumstances and lifestyle—our main aim is always to support you to live your best, most fulfilling life!
Top tops for managing incontinence with confidence
We want to encourage a world where incontinence is no longer taboo, and is discussed just as openly as other chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s, diabetes, or arthritis! Knowledge is power, and the more we talk about incontinence, the more we will normalise it and spread awareness of how to live with it.
Here are some of our top tips for managing it confidently:
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Choose the right pad
Choosing the right pad is essential to maintaining your confidence when you’re out and about! Make sure you change into a fresh pad before leaving the house and wear fitted underwear to help it stay in position. If you experience leakage, try using a different pad —there are options out there to suit everyone!
To prevent leakage, make sure that you:
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- Find the right style. There are various styles available when looking for a pad, and the suitability of these varies depending on a person’s level of mobility, or what feels comfortable for the individual. Active styles include pads and pants that will not restrict movement in day-to-day activities. For restricted mobility and/or cognitive difficulties, pull-up style products, such as the MoliCare Premium Mobile, can be useful.
- Check you have the right absorbency level. Continence pads come in multiple levels of absorbency. If you experience light bladder weakness where only drips or dribbles occur, a lower absorbency pad may suit your needs and for complete bladder loss, a high absorbency pad/pull-up is required. Always refer to the droplets in the packaging and note that not all brands have the absorbencies.
- Ensure you have the right size. Check that your continence pad fits you well. If it’s too large, the fit will be loose and cause leakage. If the pad is too small, it can stretch and warp, damaging the absorbent core and causing leakage. Think of it like needing underwear that’s a good fit. Make sure to measure the largest width between your waist and hips, in order to select the correct size.
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Adjust your home environment
Make sure that when you’re at home, you have clear access to the bathroom. Choose easy-to-clean furniture and bedding, and consider using protectors on these items. It’s also important to remove potential hazards—use non-slip mats in your bathroom, and establish clear pathways to prevent accidents.
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Do your exercises!
Kegels, pelvic floor exercises, pilates, walking, and other forms of gentle exercise are so important. Regular and targeted exercise can help both men and women to strengthen the pelvic floor, and improve bladder control.
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Protect your skin
When skin is exposed to urine and/or faeces as a result of incontinence, its natural acidic protection layer can be broken down, reducing its protective function and making it easier for bacteria and fungi to penetrate the skin and cause inflammation. As a result, it’s important to look after your skin!
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- Wash your skin regularly with dermatologically tested, pH balanced products that are nourishing and moisturising
- Use barrier products on your pads to prevent urine from contacting the skin—but opt for ones that won’t hamper the absorbency of your pad.
- Use body lotions and creams after cleansing to support the skin’s natural barrier and ability to regenerate
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Eat well, and know what to cut down on
If you experience incontinence, it’s important to eat healthily to mitigate your symptoms and retain skin integrity and health.
Think about cutting down on tea, coffee, and alcohol which are all diuretics. Refined carbohydrates (like white bread), fried foods, sugary food and drinks, and red and processed meats should also be consumed with caution, as they can contribute to inflammation and compromise skin health.
Fruits and veggies, nuts, seeds, oily fish, dark leafy greens, berries and avocados are all great additions to your diet, and are rich in vitamins and antioxidants—they’ll help to decrease inflammation and boost your skin health.
There’s no doubt that living with incontinence comes with challenges. But with effective treatment and symptom-management, guided by a healthcare professional, we’re confident you can navigate your incontinence and live life to the fullest!
Speak to one of our pharmacists about the range of products available to help you and remember to always read labels and follow instructions.
REFERENCES
Hartmann P (2023) Can incontinence be treated?, MoliCare. <https://www.molicare.au/advice-and-support/about-incontinence/can-an-incontinence-be-treated>.
Hartmann P (2023) Food and drink to avoid when living with incontinence, MoliCare. <https://www.molicare.au/advice-and-support/managing-your-incontinence/food-and-drink-to-avoid-when-living-with-incontinence>.
Hartmann P (2023) Five strategies for dealing with incontinence in difficult social situations, MoliCare. <https://www.molicare.au/advice-and-support/managing-your-incontinence/five-strategies-for-dealing-with-incontinence-in-difficult-social-situations>.
Hartmann P (2023) Frequently asked questions about answering the call of nature, MoliCare. <https://www.molicare.au/advice-and-support/about-incontinence/frequently-asked-questions-about-answering-the-call-of-nature>.
Hartmann P (2023) How can I manage incontinence at home?, MoliCare. <https://www.molicare.au/advice-and-support/managing-your-incontinence/how-can-i-manage-incontinence-at-home>.
Hartmann P (2023) Maintaining skin health – foods and products, MoliCare. <https://www.molicare.au/advice-and-support/skin-care/maintaining-skin-health-foods-and-products>.
Hartmann P (2023) Six healthy practices for incontinence, MoliCare. <https://www.molicare.au/advice-and-support/managing-your-incontinence/six-healthy-practices-for-incontinence>.
Hartmann P (2023) Why Skin Care Is So Important, MoliCare. <https://www.molicare.au/advice-and-support/skin-care/why-skin-care-is-so-important>.
