The 10 Facts You Need to Know About Caring for Someone with Stress Incontinence
The term ‘stress incontinence’ actually refers to the extra pressure that is put on the bladder or bowel during certain activities. Find a calm place, take a deep breath, and keep reading to discover the top 10 facts that any carer needs to know.
If you care for someone with ‘stress incontinence’, you might think the condition was named after how stress impacts your life – and we wouldn’t blame you for it! It’s true that incontinence in all its forms can cause tension for sufferers as well as for the family and friends who care for them. However, the term ‘stress incontinence’ actually refers to the extra pressure that is put on the bladder or bowel during certain activities. For example, some people find that they leak urine when they exercise, cough, sneeze, lift a heavy object, or bend over.
Now that we’ve got the definition out of the way, it’s time to look at how we can take the ‘stress’ out of ‘stress incontinence’. We thought there was no better moment to turn the spotlight on those who live with or look after someone suffering from incontinence. Find a calm place, take a deep breath, and keep reading to discover the top 10 facts that any carer needs to know:
- Stress incontinence is more common in females, but some men may develop it after prostate surgery.
- There are many causes of stress incontinence, including obesity, diabetes, chronic cough, constipation and childbirth.
- Stress incontinence is not caused by ageing, though changes that occur with the natural ageing process may contribute to its development.
- Talking openly about stress incontinence is embarrassing for many patients and carers, but it’s the first step to finding a treatment that helps. Nurse Continence Advisors are available in many countries, and it is great for people to have that initial conversation with them. They can also provide guidance about treatment options.
- A proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional is essential for improving the quality of life of your family member or friend. If you haven’t done so already, encourage them to make an appointment today!
- First-line treatments for stress incontinence include pelvic floor exercises, external pelvic floor stimulation devices and pessaries. There are also many Apps now available and new innovative solutions are being developed like sensors which can detect when a person needs to urinate. More on this to come...
- If first-line treatments don’t work, there are advanced treatments that can be tried including medication and surgery.
- A wide range of aids and equipment can help assist you in caring for someone with incontinence in your home. An occupational therapist can help you learn more about the options available.
- Carers need to care for themselves! Nobody can be an effective caregiver if their own health begins to suffer. We know it can be hard to find the time or energy to look after yourself, but it really is essential. If you can, try to get out the house and take a break whenever you can.
- Help is available for those caring for someone with stress incontinence. For example, there are a number of online support groups where you can share your experiences with others who are in the same position. In addition, a local (in)continence organisation probably exists in your home country – you can find a list of the main ones here.
Of course, there is lots more information on stress incontinence and caring for someone with incontinence on www.supportincontinence.org: go and explore!
Before we go, we’d like to thank all the carers around the world for the amazing work they do each and every day. Try to take a moment this International Caregivers Day to find some time to relax, relieve some stress and do something just for you – you deserve it.
WFIPP
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