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Incontinence: Urinary and Fecal

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Incontinence: Urinary and Fecal

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Created OnSeptember 18, 2019
byPHS Team

Incontinence: Urinary and Fecal

Incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control.

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI):

  • Involuntary loss of urine secondary to an increase in intra-abdominal pressure (coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting, exercise, or transitional movements).
  • Usually only a small volume of urine loss.
  • Urethra (where urine exits) may have too much mobility and does not close completely (decreased urethral closure pressure).
  • Generally caused by a weak pelvic floor.
  • Pelvic floor strengthening (Kegels) have strongest evidence in research to be an effective treatment method.

Urge Urinary Incontinence (UUI):

  • Sudden, involuntary loss of bladder control secondary to a strong and overwhelming urge to go to the washroom.
  • You will have urine loss before you are able to make it to the toilet (inability to delay voiding).
  • There can be a small amount of urine loss or a complete emptying of the bladder as a result of urge incontinence.
  • May be caused by detrusor (bladder muscle) instability, weak or tight pelvic floor muscles, or an upregulated sympathetic nervous system.
  • Bladder irritants must be taken into consideration.
  • Urge inhibition techniques can helpful.

Overflow Incontinence:

  • The bladder doesn’t empty normally and becomes very full (distended bladder).
  • Constant loss of small amount of urine (dribbles).
  • The bladder may also never feel completely empty.
  • This can be seen with conditions such as diabetes, Parkinson’s, and after radiation to the pelvis.

Functional Incontinence:

  • Involuntary urinary leakage which is associated with impairment of cognitive or physical function (broken hip), psychological unwillingness (dementia), or environmental barriers to the toilet.
  • Little changes can make a big difference (e.g. Velcro fasteners on pants instead of buttons, bedside commode and/or overall improvement in mobility and strength).

Mixed Incontinence:

  • Involuntary urine loss associated with increases in intra-abdominal pressure (stress incontinence) and with an intense urge to void (urge incontinence).
  • It is very common to have mixed incontinence.

Fecal Incontinence (FI):

  • Inability to control your bowel movements, causing involuntary leakage of stool (feces) from your rectum.
  • Also called bowel or anal incontinence.
  • Can be occasional leakage while passing gas.
  • Can be complete loss of bowel control.

Post-prostatectomy Incontinence (PPI):

  • Involuntary urine loss following prostate surgery.
  • Can be related to stress, urge, or mixed incontinence.

Pelvic floor muscle training is the first line treatment for urinary incontinence in women with Level 1, Grade A evidence of having incontinence. This is the highest level of evidence, meaning pelvic floor muscle training should be the first step in a treatment plan.

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    • Incontinence: Urinary and Fecal
    • Facts and Myths About Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
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  • Pelvic Floor Muscle Weakness
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    • Sleep
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    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
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    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Sleep
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    • Laughter
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    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
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    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
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    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
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    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
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    • Diet Modification for IC/BPS
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    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
    • Nutrition and Persistent Pain
    • Connective Tissue Dysfunction
    • What Are My Myofascial Tender Points?
    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
    • Catastrophization
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    • Pelvic Tissue Dysfunction
    • Pelvic Floor Muscle Tightness
    • Deep Breathing Exercises
    • Reverse Kegels (Pelvic Floor Drops)
    • Sensitive Nervous System
    • Types of Pain
    • Understanding Pain Better
    • Laughter
    • Sleep
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    • Self-Treatment Techniques for Foam Rolling
    • Pain Education in a Nutshell
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