One of the problems with incontinence and/or frequent urination is that it sometimes has the effect of discouraging people from drinking sufficient fluids, which can then lead on to dehydration.

Of course maintaining proper hydration is important, but so is staying dry, and on occasion, the need for frequent urination can end up resulting in light incontinence, especially in the elderly.

To help prevent frequent urination evolving into incontinence, there are some simple things that can be done to reduce the frequency of urination or the feeling of the need to urinate. Caffeine and alcohol are among the many foods that irritate the bladder, leading to incontinence. Both of these drinks are also diuretics, which encourage the body to lose liquids. Medications for high blood pressure are normally diuretics also, which can exacerbate the frequent urination symptoms, again leading to incontinence.

There are also a number of diseases that can manifest themselves as frequent urination (in turn leading to incontinence), so this is another reason that it is important to discuss any incontinence problem with your health professional. Two common causes are Diabetes and kidney disease, even more common is a urinary tract infection. In men frequent urination is frequently the result of an enlarged prostate gland, which again often leads way to light adult incontinence.
If there is any discomfort connected with frequent trips to the toilet, then you should seek medical advice immediately.

However, for the elderly, especially as mobility becomes an issue, frequent urination can be just the start a pattern of incontinence. If there is no infection or disease, then there are several things that can be done to address the problem of incontinence. Limiting liquid intake, but still ensuring that enough fluids are being consumed to remain healthy in line with guidelines, can be a start. Next, increasing the holding capacity of the bladder by gradually extending the time in between trips to the bathroom. This can be done by stretching the time by about fifteen minutes and increase the duration every week.
If medication that works as a diuretic is being taken then discuss with the doctor the option of taking this earlier in the day. This will help prevent waking throughout the night needing to go to the bathroom, or risk an incontinence episode like bedwetting.

A 2009 study by the University of California, San Francisco showed that women who lost as little as eight percent of their body weight experienced an average 47% reduction in episodes of both stress incontinence and urge incontinence, with some seeing the number of incontinence episodes drop by an astounding 70%.
The study’s findings, which were reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, concluded that reduction in urinary incontinence can be considered among the primary benefits of even moderate weight loss in significantly overweight women.

The study included a group of 338 overweight and obese women between 45 and 60 years of age, all of whom were experiencing at least 10 episodes of urinary incontinence per week. The participants were divided into two groups, one of which was put on an intensive six-month weight loss program that included diet, exercise, and lifestyle modification.

The other group of participants did not take part in any structured weight loss program, but were given educational classes on the importance of weight loss to incontinence management.

At the end of the six months, the participants in the weight loss group had dropped an average of eight percent of their body weight, while the control group showed an average weight loss of just over one percent.

Episodes of urinary incontinence dropped in both groups during the study period, but the difference between the groups was striking. The weight loss group reported 47% fewer episodes on average, while the control group reported 28% fewer episodes. The weight loss group showed a clinically relevant drop in the number of episodes of all types of incontinence, the researchers said, but episodes of stress incontinence showed the most dramatic reduction.

Stress incontinence, which is the involuntary loss of urine caused by seemingly inconsequential actions such as sneezing, coughing, or laughing, or by movement such as exercise or lifting, is one of the most common female health problems in the US.

More than 13 million women experience stress incontinence, and it is estimated that one in three women will experience it at some time. The condition is caused be weakness in the pelvic floor muscles, including the sphincter muscle that closes off the bladder. Weakness in these muscles can be caused by a number of factors, including pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, certain medical procedures (notably, hysterectomies), and some medications.

Major depression, hypertension, enlarged prostates, and older age are all associated with an increased risk of moderate to severe urinary incontinence (UI) in men, a large study suggests.

The findings, which provide one of the first snapshots of urinary incontinence in men, may help improve doctors’ ability to identify men who are suffering from the condition, says study head Alayne Markland, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Overall, 4.5% of American men were found to experience moderate to severe urinary incontinence, which corresponds to having leakage at least once a month, the study showed.

The rate increases with age, from 0.7% in men ages 20 to 34 to 16% in men age 75 and older, the study showed.

The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the American Urological Association.

Studies suggested that urinary incontinence is less common among men than women, but there was felt to be a lack of data on Urinary Incontinence and risk factors in men, Dr. Markland felt.

So she and colleagues analyzed data from 5,297 men aged 20 and older who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationally representative survey of the U.S. population.

Men were interviewed in their homes, and Urinary Incontinence was assessed using the 12-point Incontinence Severity Index in which participants are asked if they leak and if so, how much and how often. Moderate to severe Urinary Incontinence was defined as a score of 3 or higher.

Among all the men, major depression and hypertension were associated with a 2.6-fold and a 30% increased risk of moderate to severe UI, respectively.

Each 10-year increase in age was associated with an 80% increased risk.

Among the 3,010 men aged 40 and older, enlarged prostate — called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) — was associated with a 20% greater chance of having moderate to severe UI.

The rate of moderate to severe Urinary Incontinence did not differ by race or ethnicity.

A total of 49% of the men had what is known as urge urinary incontinence, in which you feel like you have to go but can’t get to the bathroom in time, Dr. Markland said. Thirteen percent had stress urinary incontinence, which occurs when an activity, such as coughing or sneezing, causes a small amount of urine to leak. The rest had a combination.
BPH a Known Cause of Urinary Incontinence

BPH is a well-known cause of UI, says Ira Sharlip, MD, clinical professor of urology at the University of California, San Francisco.

“Nightly bathroom runs may be the first sign of an enlarged prostate, other symptoms may include trouble starting a stream of urine, leaking, or dribbling” says Dr. Sharlip, who was not involved with the study.

That’s because an can press against the urethra (the tube that carries urine out the body) and block the flow of urine. This causes the bladder wall to become irritable. The bladder begins to contract even when it contains small amounts of urine, causing more frequent urination.

More research is needed to find out why depression and hypertension are associated with higher rates of UI, Dr. Markland said.

Medications called diuretics that are often used to treat may play a role, she says. They flush excess fluid from the body and can cause frequent urination.

Some of the drugs used to treat depression may also cause UI, Sharlip says.

“Urinary incontinence is something people don’t want to talk about,” says Lauren P. Wallner, PhD, MPH, a research fellow in the department of urology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

“If you’re having symptoms, bring it to the attention of your Doctor or Health professional as it can often be treated with medication, behavioral therapy and, in severe cases, surgery,” she said.

Many find it difficult to manage, leading to frustration and even isolation and depression in the worse cases. Yet, incontinence is not a disease, but rather a symptom of underlying conditions that affect men and women of all ages and backgrounds.

The many causes of incontinence include pregnancy, surgery, infections or even just being overweight. It also can be triggered by a variety of other diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and even diabetes.
There are also different types of incontinence:
• Stress incontinence: A small amount of urine is released by such everyday physical activities even ones as basic as, coughing, sneezing or laughing. This is generally due to weakened pelvic floor muscles and in many cases can be easily treated by activities such as pelvic floor exercises.

• Urge incontinence: The urge to urinate comes on so suddenly that it is impossible to reach a toilet in time. This generally results in larger losses than stress incontinence. Bladder re-training may help improve this condition.

• Overflow incontinence: The bladder is constantly filled, causing it to release small amounts of urine frequently.

• Reflex incontinence: The absence of bladder control is due to impaired nerve function. This is often linked to other diseases.

• Faecal Incontinence: Impaired rectal sensation or muscle control results in the loss of faeces (stools) or the staining of underclothes.

We always advocate discussing the symptoms with your own health professional as they are best placed to diagnose your own symptoms and condition and recommend appropriate treatments.

Incontinence pad choice can be difficult because it depends on many factors. Obviously , the quantity of urine loss is the largest factor, but with so many products on the market today other factors can also taken into consideration.

Also important is ease of use, and also your lifestyle and mobility level. The best female incontinence pad might not be a good solution for someone experiencing male incontinence.
Odour control is also essential, and virtually all disposable products have this feature nowadays. Due to their re-usable nature, Washable products do not feature odour contol, and are really only suitable for lighter urinary incontinence. The cost, comfort and durability of incontinence products, all to come into the equation.

The exploration of these factors is crucial for you to find the best incontinence products for your needs.

As well as searching for a cure for your urinary incontinence, you are also likely to look for dependable, urinary incontinence products to help you manage your condition and avoid any potentially embarrassing situations.

When looking for incontinence products, as well as pants and pads, and you will also see skincare products that will keep the skin stay healthy by preventing rashes and irritation.

If unsure what product types would be most suitable for you then seek advice, either from a healthcare professional, a product manufacturer or an Incontinence specialist such as Allanda, all of whom should be well versed with the multitude of different products for odour control and skin protection, pads and pants, and also beyond that their user-friendliness and comfort.
Hopefully after this you will have a good starting point , and as you evaluate different urinary incontinence products by trying them for yourself then you will determine what features and aspects are most important for you. If a product works for you and is comfortable then try it over a longer period to be sure, if not, then determine what aspects you aren’t satisified with and find another product or brand that looks like it will better meet your own specific needs until you find the best product for you.

There are many different types of incontinence products so it is important to have an open mind and consider all options initially. You may well discover that different products are more suitable for different activities in your day. For example, washable incontinence pants may be fine for wearing during the day, whilst at night the extra absorbency of a disposable product is needed. At night, a waterproof mattress cover may also be needed as well for extra security.

If you use disposable pants or pads, change them regularly, well before they are full, to avoid skin chafing and rashes developing. It is really recommend to change a disposable pad as soon as it is soiled.

Washable incontinence pants often look similar to normal underwear but generally contain a built in pad, and have a reinforced waterproof crotch. The built in pads are constructed from special fabric that helps to wick wetness away from you keeping your skin dry and healthy. This type of underwear is generally worn without a pad. For extra protection at night you can use waterproof pants over disposable or washable products, however if you are using the right disposable product this shouldn’t be necessary.

When you are in the process of seeking out the right incontinence products for your needs, Allanda can assist you in finding the perfect products for your situation. You can purchase various sample packs designed for specific levels of incontinence which will give you a great idea of what product types are available and find which ones you suit you.

You might prefer the ease of use and hygiene of disposable urinary incontinence products, or you may prefer the cost advantages of washable incontinence products. Like many people you might even find that a combination of different types of urinary incontinence products suits you most.

Whatever the solution to your needs, we are here to help you discover it.

The study included 1211 women followed up since their birth in 1946 and looked at their menopausal transition status and symptoms of stress, urge, and severe UI over 7 years from ages 48-54.

Women who were peri-menopausal were more likely to have symptoms of stress UI than post-menopausal women. Menopausal transition status was not associated with urge or severe UI. These relationships were not explained by age, childhood enuresis, reproductive factors, previous health status, body mass index and educational qualifications.

Source: Nursing Times

For the past 2 years researchers from the University of Toronto, William Hospital in Michigan and now from the Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, are experimenting with a new technique that implants the patients own stem cell into the bladder muscle to prevent urinary incontinence episodes.

The stem cells are harvested from a muscle in the tight, these cells are then reproduced in a lab and then injected into the bladder muscle, where they will regenerate and repair the damaged muscle.

Urologists believe the procedure eventually could be used to repair other damaged muscles in the body.

Dr. Melissa Kaufman, assistant professor of urologic surgery at the Vanderbilt University said:

“This is an enormous public health problem that has been put in the shadow for so long. It is a delicate issue and it has been thought of as a normal part of aging, but it can be treated.”

It is to early to jump into conclusions but early results are proving to be very promising and Dr. Michael Chancellor from the Beaumont Hospital in Toronto, started researching this procedure about 10 years ago and stated that 2/3 of the patients saw an improvement greater than 50% and he estimates that another 3 more years will be needed before the FDS approves the procedure.

If you suspect yourself that you’re encountering lapses in bladder control, there are certain means you can take in order to treat it. Ordinarily, loss of bladder control is continually triggered by multiple internal factors which may be pushed out of your lifestyle, with relative ease. The solution for shaky bladder control usually requires certain lifestyle changes. Here’s a couple of straightforward tips to help curb the problem.

Steer clear of excess coffee, carbonated liquid (like soda) and alcohol consumption. Caffeine addicts who experience positive symptoms of urinary incontinence should cut down their coffee habits significant since it will exacerbate the condition without fail. And – if possible – avoid drinking coffee altogether because it’s the caffeine which acts as a diuretic that worsens the condition – carbonated beverages and alcoholic drinks can similarly cause a diuretic effect. Add to that, the proven link between coffee and bladder muscle contractions which can, additionally, augment how frequently one urinates.

That said we wouldn’t recommend decreasing your overall water intake. It’s often assumed – quite mistakenly – that decreasing the amount of water you drink invariably prevents loss of bladder control. Inversely, that drinking loads of water encourages incontinence. This is simply a myth. The consumption of water is important for maintaining a healthy body – period. Not drinking water leads to being dehydrated – or on the brink of dehydration – and you should therefore not decrease your water intake ever. We’d recommend drinking a minimum of eight small-to-medium glasses of water every day. This is more a general health tip, if anything. It just happens to be extremely relevant to the issue of taking control of your bladder.

Recent studies revealed that by combining Perineal Massages and Kegel exercises – pelvic floor exercises – risks of urinary incontinence are reduced considerably.

To perform Kegel or Pelvic floor exercises first locate your urinary sphincter (muscle that controls urine flow). To do that sit on the toilet with knees as far apart as possible.  Start and stop the flow of urine. The muscle you use to stop the flow is the one you will be working on in the exercises. (Note: Stopping urine flow is not part of the exercise routine)

Now that you identified the muscle tighten it and hold it for 4 seconds and then relax it for another 4 seconds, this is one Kegel. Do 10 to 15 Kegels, 2 to 3 times each day. Kegel exercises can be performed during and after pregnancy.

Recently another technique that is proving to be quite effective to prevent incontinence during and after childbirth is Perineal massage, this technique is used to stretch the tissues around the vaginal opening weeks before delivery.

To perform Perineal Massages first wash your hands and apply lubricant to the area (vagina). Then place your thumbs about 1 to 1 1/2 inches inside your vagina. Pressing downward, gently stretch until you feel a slight burning or tingling sensation. Hold the pressure for about two minutes or until the tissue begins to feel numb. Repeat this towards the right side of the vagina for two more minutes and then to the left. Perform this technique daily starting at 34 weeks of pregnancy.

We would love to hear your feedback on these techniques and how effective they are to each one of you. So please share your results via our comments section.