What is urinary incontinence in the elderly?

Written by Wei Zhen Xia
Geriatrics
Updated on December 27, 2024
00:00
00:00

For elderly people with urinary incontinence, such as elderly men, the main cause is benign prostatic hyperplasia. Due to the enlargement of the prostate, there is an obstruction at the bladder outlet, which increases the resistance during urination. Urine is not completely expelled and accumulates in large amounts within the bladder. When the pressure reaches a certain level, urinary incontinence occurs. For female patients, the main cause is usually an acute urinary system infection, resulting in localized infections that stimulate the bladder's detrusor muscle, causing it to contract involuntarily and, consequently, leading to urinary incontinence.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
45sec home-news-image

What are the methods for treating female urinary incontinence and incomplete bladder emptying?

There are several causes of urinary incontinence in women as well as types of urinary incontinence. The treatment method needs to be based on the specific type of urinary incontinence. For mild stress urinary incontinence, it can be improved through pelvic floor muscle exercises. For more severe cases of stress urinary incontinence, surgery may be required. If the incontinence is due to acute cystitis, it is necessary to use antibiotics in a timely manner for treatment. Once the inflammation is controlled, the symptoms will also alleviate. However, if the urinary incontinence is caused by damage to the nervous system, there are no effective treatment methods.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
43sec home-news-image

Which part to massage for urinary incontinence

In cases of urinary incontinence, massaging acupoints such as Zusanli (ST36) and Shenshu (BL23) can effectively alleviate the condition, but this does not cure it. It is recommended to visit a formal hospital and follow the doctor's guidance for symptomatic treatment to achieve a cure. It is crucial to seek timely treatment to prevent the condition from worsening, which can be difficult to cure and may affect daily life. It is advised to engage in more physical activities regularly, as this can help strengthen the body's resistance. Doing exercises such as squats, push-ups, and sit-ups can also effectively help relieve symptoms of urinary incontinence.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
51sec home-news-image

Can you sit for a long time with postpartum urinary incontinence?

When postpartum urinary incontinence occurs, it is not advisable for the mother to sit for extended periods. This is because urinary incontinence in women is primarily due to pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Sitting for long periods is detrimental to the recovery of pelvic floor muscle function. It is recommended that women pay attention to rest, avoid prolonged walking or standing, and also avoid sitting for long periods. Rest is important, as is ensuring adequate sleep and enhancing nutrition by consuming foods rich in protein and vitamins. It is advised to seek early pelvic floor rehabilitation training at a hospital and to adhere to the rehabilitation exercises. Generally, good recovery can be achieved within six months.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
1min 2sec home-news-image

What causes urinary incontinence in the elderly?

Urinary incontinence in the elderly varies due to different mechanisms and types, with the two most common categories being genuine urinary incontinence, which is due to neurogenic bladder dysfunction or overactive detrusor muscles, damage to the urethral sphincter, or loss of bladder storage function. These are commonly seen in conditions like chronic stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and psychiatric diseases. The other major category is caused by relaxation of the urethral sphincter or pelvic floor muscles surrounding the urethra, leading to reduced urethral pressure. Incontinence in this category may occur when negative pressure increases, such as during coughing, sneezing, straining during bowel movements, or changing body position. This type of urinary incontinence is more common in elderly women and in elderly men who have had prostate removal, leading to damage to the external urethral sphincter.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Sun Chun
Urology
1min 10sec home-news-image

Urinary incontinence includes three types: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and overflow incontinence.

Urinary incontinence, in clinical terms, is divided into the following categories: First, there is urge incontinence, where the main symptom is that as soon as one thinks of urinating, the urine comes out uncontrollably. This is commonly seen in urinary tract infections, among other conditions. Second, there is overflow incontinence, also known as pseudo-incontinence, which is actually due to an obstruction in the lower urinary tract, leading to an overfilled bladder that naturally overflows, causing involuntary urination. Third, there is true incontinence, which occurs because the mechanism controlling the urinary tract is damaged, resulting in leaks as soon as there is a small amount of urine in the bladder. If urinary incontinence occurs, it is recommended to visit a hospital. First, a routine urine test should be conducted; second, a color Doppler ultrasound of the urinary system should be performed, which can be done while holding urine or during routine times; lastly, a urodynamic test should be carried out to examine bladder function and determine the type of urinary incontinence.