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TAKING THE
FIRST STEP
COPING WITH
INCONTINENCE
MAINTAINING
HEALTHY SKIN
HANDLING
DAILY NEEDS
CARING FOR YOU
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Taking
the First Step
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The first step to bladder
control is to schedule a doctor's appointment for an evaluation.
If the person in your care already has an appointment
on the calendar for another reason, call the physician's
office and explain that you would like to discuss incontinence
during the visit. Loss of bladder control isn't easy to
talk about, but there is no need to feel uncomfortable
bringing the subject up with the doctor.
You can help the doctor make an accurate assessment and
diagnosis by providing as much information as possible
during the appointment. For a week prior to seeing the
doctor, make note of the following:
- Keep a urine voiding
diary for the person in your care during the
seven days prior to the doctor's visit. Document
the signs and patterns of voids including:
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- Time of day incontinence usually
occurs
- Behaviors or activities preceding
incontinence
- Location where loss of bladder control
happens most often - for example: bathroom
hallway, bedroom, stairway, away from
home, etc.
- Amount of liquid consumed
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- Any special diets
or changes in diet
- Any prescription and
over-the-counter medications
- Any behaviors that
you suspect may be a side effect of medications
- Are incontinent episodes
becoming progressively worse?
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Find out about the most common forms of incontinence
in men and women, as well as some available treatments
that can make a difference. Simple changes in the
daily routine can help you both manage incontinence.
During the appointment, the doctor will most likely
discuss symptoms and do a thorough physical exam.
A diagnosis may be made or additional tests may
be ordered. Once a diagnosis is made, the doctor
will help you develop an appropriate treatment plan
for the person you care for or refer you to other
medical professionals who specialize in incontinence
care. A treatment plan for your loved one may include:
- Kegel or pelvic muscle
exercises - Simple
toning exercises that can be learned quickly
and done anywhere to strengthen the muscles
that help control urine flow.
- Change in diet
- Learning which foods and eating habits may
contribute to or aggravate incontinence.
- Medication
- Drug therapies to treat specific incontinence-related
conditions.
- Biofeedback
- Training that helps the incontinent person
"learn their body's signals" and recognize
the sensations of the muscles that control the
bladder.
- Bladder retraining
- Restoring a normal pattern of voiding by slowly
increasing the amount of time between trips
to the bathroom.
- Changes in daily routine
or modifications to the home environment
- Removing barriers that hinder an incontinent
person around the house and suggesting aids
that may improve mobility.
- Surgery
- Usually the last treatment option, surgery
is sometimes recommended for certain types of
incontinence after more conventional treatments
are found to be unsatisfactory.
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