Millions of older people suffer from incontinence, a problem that can severely impair their quality of life. There are many factors that can contribute to this problem, and it is important to understand them all if you or someone you know is struggling with incontinence. Although it may be difficult, learning more about incontinence can help an elderly person to take steps to improve this issue. In this article, we will take a look at some of the common causes of incontinence in older people.
Weak Bladder Muscles
One of the most common causes of incontinence is weak bladder muscles. Aging slows nerve function and muscle movement, including those in the bladder. Over time this can cause the muscles to become less elastic or “weaker.” When a person gets older, it simply takes longer for their body to send a signal that they need to urinate, and they become unable to hold their bladder until they get the signal. This loss of muscle control is called detrusor instability, and it can lead to incontinence with both urine and stool.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Urinary tract infections are common in older people, partly because they often have a less efficient immune system. This means that a UTI, which can arise from bacteria in the digestive tract or elsewhere in the body that finds its way into the urinary tract, will be able to establish itself more easily and potentially cause incontinence as it spreads. In addition to incontinence, these infections are also known to cause pain around the bladder, pain when urinating, and increased frequency in urination.
Dementia
As people age, their brains deteriorate in many ways that are not yet fully understood. This deterioration can be severe enough to the point where the person is diagnosed with dementia. Dementia is most typically associated with Alzheimer’s disease, which primarily affects memory and thinking skills in older people. However, many other forms of dementia exist, most of which involve some degree of mental confusion or disorientation. This confusion can make it difficult for a person to recognize the need to use the bathroom or remember where it is and can lead to incontinence.
Loss Of Mobility
As people age, they become less mobile and more likely to develop chronic health conditions such as arthritis. Arthritis makes it more challenging to walk, stand up from a chair, or even go for a short walk. Losing the ability to move around freely can make it challenging to get to the bathroom when needed, especially if it is not close by. Over time, this lack of mobility can lead to incontinence due to a loss of bladder control.
Medications
Many medications can cause incontinence, including over-the-counter drugs, prescription medications, and herbal remedies. Diuretics are often prescribed to older people with high blood pressure or other cardiovascular problems. These drugs, which mean “water pill,” increase urine output because they result in the loss of more water than average through urination. Many people take diuretics every day, but the sudden increase in urine output can result in incontinence if they do not properly compensate for it with their diets and hydration levels.