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Expert Q&A
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| By iParenting Staff iParenting Staff Experts | ||
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What are the main causes of urinary incontinence in the elderly?
Urinary incontinence in the elderly female falls into several categories. Stress incontinence (urinary incontinence that occurs with an increase in intra-abdominal pressure: coughing, laughing, sneezing, straining) occurs as the result of a loss of the support of the pelvic structures. This laxity occurs mainly as a result of stretching of the pelvic support that is associated with childbirth. Additionally, there is a normal aging process that results in a laxity of the pelvic support. Many females have also undergone surgical procedures that may be associated with a weakening of the pelvic support.
Urge incontinence (patient gets an urge to go to the bathroom but doesn't get there in time) is another type of incontinence that occurs, and is also a part of the aging process.
Social incontinence refers to that type of incontinence where extrinsic social factors play a role. Examples would be incapacitating factors that cause the patient to slowly get to a bathroom, such as many neurological diseases that inhibit ambulating.
In the male, the leading cause of urinary incontinence would be due to enlargement of the prostate.
Many medication and medical conditions also can help cause urinary incontinence. Diabetics, for example, may have decreased sensation. Additionally, they may make more volumes of urine if their sugars are out of control. Medications such as diuretics can also contribute to urinary incontinence of various forms."
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