Hormonal Changes
As people age, their hormone levels change. This can have a significant impact on bladder control and incontinence because it impacts bladder muscles. In women, hormonal changes during menopause may cause incontinence as the pelvic muscles weaken and vaginal walls thin out. Men also experience hormonal changes associated with aging that can affect the prostate gland, which can cause loss of bladder control and incontinence.
Illnesses
People who are chronically ill often experience incontinence, although the type of incontinence can vary widely depending on their specific condition. For example, diabetes is known to cause nerve damage that results in urinary retention, while some types of cancer can obstruct the ureters and bladder. Muscle wasting diseases such as muscular dystrophy can also cause incontinence among older people. So depending on the illness, they are diagnosed with it’s good to ask your doctor if incontinence is a symptom of the disease.
Enlarged Prostate Gland
The prostate gland surrounds the urethra of males and is involved with ejaculation. As men age, they may be more likely to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which causes an enlargement of the prostate gland and can obstruct the urethra, and contribute to urine retention and incontinence. Symptoms of BPH include a weak urine stream and a feeling that the bladder is never fully empty. This can also cause incontinence by straining the bladder muscles and making them more likely to spasm, which can lead to a loss of bladder control.
Neurological Disorders
Neurological disorders can impact any part of the nervous system, including those that control bladder muscles. When this happens, people may experience changes in their bladder habits and become incontinent. These types of disorders can affect how severe it is and what types of incontinence occur. One common condition associated with urinary incontinence is spinal cord injury, which can damage the nerves that control bladder function.
Urge Incontinence
Urge incontinence, also known as overactive bladder, occurs when people feel an urgent need to urinate and cannot make it to the bathroom in time. With urge incontinence, the bladder muscles contract and force urine out without warning. This type of incontinence is common among older people who have weakened bladder muscles because it can occur with a sudden burst of pressure that cannot be controlled in time to prevent leakage.
Conclusion
Incontinence in older people can be caused by various factors, from medications to neurological disorders. While incontinence is more common among the elderly, it is not a normal part of aging, and people should talk with their doctor if they experience any form of incontinence. Many treatment options are available that can significantly reduce or even eliminate incontinence. So if you or someone you love is dealing with this issue, just know that it is not something they just have to live with!