As we age, our bodies undergo several changes, and one of the most common issues that people face is incontinence. Incontinence is characterized by the loss of control over bowel or bladder movements, leading to bed wetting, leaks, or an urgent need to use the restroom. Recognizing early symptoms can help you take necessary measures before it turns into a severe problem.
Inability to Control Urine When Sleeping
One of the first signs of incontinence is bed wetting: waking up with damp sheets or finding urine stains on your clothes. While this may be more common among children, it can also happen to adults as they age. This early symptom may happen due to a variety of specific issues including bladder inflammation, pelvic floor muscle weakness, mobility issues, or a simply change in sleep patterns.
Increase in Sudden Urges
Another sign is experiencing sudden urges to urinate frequently throughout the day and even at night. This often involves a sudden and strong desire to urinate, often accompanied by discomfort or pain. For people with incontinence, urgency can be a frustrating and embarrassing symptom. You may feel like you have to always rush to find a restroom, which can interfere with daily activities and social life.
Stress Incontinence
Stress incontinence is a common condition among women, especially those who have given birth or gone through menopause. However, men can have this problem too. Aging and an overall weakening of core muscles contributes to it. It is characterized by involuntary urinary leakage during physical activity such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising. The reason behind this condition is the weakening of pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder and urethra.
Cannot Get to the Bathroom in Time
Another sign of emerging issues involve what is called functional incontinence. This means you cannot quite get to the bathroom in time to go as you normally would. It is usually caused by mobility issues that can make rising from a chair and walking more difficult or slower than before. Many of these things coincide with the aging process.
Regular Leaks or Lack of Control Over Flow
Regular leaks or overflow are often the first signs of incontinence. Many older individuals experience small leaks, which can progress to more frequent and larger leaks even while doing normal, everyday activities like walking. Overflow can also occur when the bladder is unable to empty completely leading to constant dribbling which can lead to wet clothing and bedding.
Although many causes of urinary incontinence exist, getting older does contribute. If you notice any of these signs in your life, it may be time to talk to your physician. Also, purchasing some incontinence pads or undergarments can give you peace of mind that you will not experience an embarrassing leak when you are out and about.
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