The Myths and The Facts About Incontinence

MYTH:
Only a few, older people, most of who live in institutions, experience incontinence.

FACTS:
Incontinence, the loss of bladder and/or bowel control, affects over 3 million Canadian men and women of all ages.

Incontinence affects the following groups of people:

• 10% of six-year-olds
• One in four women middle-aged or older
• 15% of all men aged 60 years and over
• Many individuals with neurological disorders and spinal cord

Over 90% of those affected by incontinence live at home.

MYTH:
Incontinence is a disease.

FACTS:
Incontinence is a symptom of something else going on in the body, and should always be assessed and diagnosed by a healthcare professional interested and experienced in incontinence.

Incontinence has many causes, including:

• Conditions that affect the nervous system and therefore the communication between the brain and the bladder/sphincter or bowel, e.g. stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or spinal cord injury.
• Consequences of surgery, e.g. prostate surgery.
• Side effects of medications e.g. anti-depressants, sedatives, diuretics, or muscle relaxants.
• A birth defect of the urinary system.
• Weakening of the pelvic floor muscles which may occur, for example, after childbirth or menopause.
• Changes that occur with the natural aging process, such as enlargement of the prostate in men, or the loss of estrogen in women.

MYTH:
Individuals experiencing incontinence just have to learn to live with it.

FACTS:
Incontinence can almost always be cured, treated or successfully managed. There are many treatment or management options depending on the nature and cause of the incontinence. Time-scheduled toileting routines, diet/fluid intake changes, or exercises, with or without biofeedback and/or electrical stimulation equipment, may help. For some, medications can help to increase the bladder's ability to empty, to relax the bladder and decrease urgency, or to tighten the sphincter to prevent urine leakage from the bladder. Other options such as surgery, an artificial sphincter, or an injection of a substance into the sphincter muscle, may be recommended.

In the case of people who are physically or cognitively challenged, there are often potential options that can restore or improve continence, such as assistance with toileting, or by devices such as mobility or communication aids. If incontinence products are required, choosing the most appropriate conduction or containment product can make a world of difference in one's quality of life.

Awareness that there are treatment and management options is the first step. You can help your clients with incontinence by either directly providing the treatment/management services, or by ensuring your client has access to a healthcare professional with a special interest and expertise in incontinence. If you require a list of specialists in your area who have a particular interest in incontinence go to List of Professionals or call The Canadian Continence Foundation at 1-800-265-9575, or 514-488-9999.