What is urinary incontinence in the elderly?

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

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Does postpartum urinary incontinence require surgery?

In cases of postpartum urinary incontinence, treatment should be selectively based on the individual condition of the mother. For those with mild postpartum urinary incontinence symptoms, normal recovery can be achieved through effective physical exercise and a period of rest and recuperation. However, in severe cases of urinary incontinence, surgery is also a treatment option. Therefore, the treatment for postpartum urinary incontinence should be determined based on the specific cause and severity of the condition. It is not limited to surgical treatment alone, so it is necessary to conduct an examination first and then choose the method of treatment.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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Stress urinary incontinence clinical manifestations

The primary clinical manifestation of stress urinary incontinence is the leakage of urine from the urethra when sudden increases in intra-abdominal pressure occur, such as laughing, sneezing, or coughing. This condition is commonly seen in women who have given birth. It is mainly caused by the relaxation of the urethral sphincter and pelvic floor muscles after childbirth. The more childbirths a woman has, the higher the frequency of stress urinary incontinence. For mild symptoms, improvement can be achieved through pelvic floor muscle exercises. If necessary, medications such as Midodrine Hydrochloride tablets can be taken orally. For severe symptoms, surgery is recommended. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor based on specific circumstances.)

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Written by Yang Dong
Colorectal Surgery Department
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How to recover from fecal incontinence?

For fecal incontinence, we must first conduct an effective evaluation and complete relevant examinations. For instance, we need to perform anal canal pressure measurements and examine the anal sphincter muscle imaging. Through these examinations, we can determine the extent of fecal incontinence and then adopt corresponding treatment methods. For fecal incontinence, we can initially choose conservative treatments, such as treatment with biofeedback therapy.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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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.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Can postpartum urinary incontinence be recovered?

Most cases of urinary incontinence postpartum in women are treatable. To manage postpartum urinary incontinence, it is essential to develop good urination habits. Patients with postpartum urinary incontinence should urinate every two to three hours. This practice can help train the bladder control muscles and enhance the new mother’s awareness of urination. Each time you urinate, try to empty the bladder completely to train the pelvic floor muscles. Regularly performing exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor muscles can increase their contraction and control abilities, alleviating cases of urinary incontinence. Most conditions can improve; however, more severe cases may require further treatment.