Essay On Incontinence

Caregiver Support Can Help When Fighting Incontinence

Incontinence can be an embarrassing problem that becomes more frequent with age. Research suggests that up to half of women over 60 deal with issues of incontinence, and nearly half of women who have gone through menopause will face issues related to frequent urination. Many of these problems can be associated with hormone changes, and life events such as childbirth may also increase the likelihood of incontinence.

Incontinence can range from tiny leaks and "dribbles" to much larger releases of urine and the need to race off to the restroom. The stress of never knowing if an "accident" will occur can take the joy out of many events such as exercise, going to the movies, or even sex.

The good

The most common way to deal with urinary incontinence is to work on the muscles responsible for bladder control. Kegels are exercises that strengthen the sphincter muscles. They can be done most any place at any time and have upwards of a 75 percent success rate in reducing leaks.

Food. Many researchers have lined the risk for incontinence to vitamin D levels. Those with the lowest levels of vitamin D were significantly more likely to experience incontinence episodes than those who had high levels. This is of particular concern to seniors since more than three-quarters of those over 60 years of age have levels that are too low.

Acupuncture. Eastern medicine may not always be understood, but more and more people are finding treatments such as acupuncture to be effective for many ailments, including incontinence. Acupuncture involves the painless insertion of very thin needles in "energy centers" around the body. The treatments typically have to be continued to be effective.

Drink more water and less sugary drinks, especially those sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. Caffeine and alcohol are also known to increase a person 's urge to pee and should be avoided by those who have issues with