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Urinary Incontinence
- Uncontrolled leaking of urine
- Affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 9 men in Canada
- Only 1 in 12 will seek treatment
- 5 Types
- Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI): Most common, especially in older women
- Happens when the pelvic floor muscles stretch
- Overactive Bladder (OAB): Urgency incontinence and urinary frequency
- Mixed Incontinence (SUI & OAB): Leak urine with activity (SUI) and often feel the urge to urinate (OAB)
- Urge Incontinence: The sudden loss of bladder control secondary to a strong and overwhelming urge to go to the bathroom
- There can be a small amount of urine loss or complete emptying of the bladder
- Overflow Incontinence: Most common in men with prostate issues
- The body makes more urine than the bladder can hold or the bladder is full and cannot empty thereby causing leakage
- In addition, there may be something blocking the flow or the bladder muscle may not contract as it should
- Aging
- Pregnancy, childbirth and number of children
- Post-menopause potentially due to the drop in estrogen in women
- Prostate problems
- Some medications
- Neurological diseases
- Increased risk for those who smoke, are obese, have high blood pressure and/or diabetes
- SUI: Leaking when you are physically active
- OAB: Needing to urinate more than normal
- Urinary urgency that sometimes cannot be controlled
- May/may not cause your bladder to leak urine
- Nocturia (nighttime urination)
- Mixed SUI & OAB: Leaking AND a sudden strong urge to urinate
- Overflow Incontinence: Frequent, small urinations and constant dribbling
- Medical history to address
- Past and current health issues
- Over-the-counter and prescription drugs being taken
- Diet and liquid consumption
- The Three Incontinence Questions Tool
- Asks if, when and how often urine leakage is experienced
- Can help categorize the type of urinary incontinence
- Three-day Voiding Diary
- Used as part of the initial assessment for urinary incontinence symptoms
- Record
- When and how much fluid you drink
- When and how much you urinate
- How often you have that “gotta go” urgency feeling
- When and how much urine you may leak
- Cough Stress Test: Most reliable clinical assessment for confirming SUI
- Urodynamic Testing: To determine how well the bladder, sphincters and urethra hold and release
- Postvoid Residual Urine Measurement
- You’re asked to urinate (void) into a container that measures urine output
- The amount of leftover urine in your bladder is checked using a catheter/ultrasound
- Indwelling Catheters: Flexible tube placed in your bladder all day and night. A balloon holds the tube in your bladder and drains urine into an external bag
- Intermittent Catheterization: Catheter is inserted into the urethra 3-5x/day. Once the bladder is empty, you remove the catheter
- Urethral Insert: Inserted into the distal portion of the male urethra, inhibiting the flow of urine. Can be removed before urination and reinserted after urination
- Absorbent Products: Pads, adult diapers, protective underwear, guards and drip collection pouches for men
- Toilet Substitutes: Commode seats, bedside commodes, urinals (plastic jug-type devices)
