The inability to retain urine in the bladder for a reasonable length of time. It is can be caused by urethral irritation, loss of tone to the basement muscle of the bladder (the trigone), scarification or growths on the urethral lining, nerve damage, or emotional stress.... incontinence
Inability to retain faeces in the rectum until a movement appropriate to expel them. A common cause is faecal impaction, which often results from long-standing constipation. The rectum becomes overfull causing faecal fluid and small pieces of faeces to be passed involuntarily around the impacted mass of faeces. Temporary loss of continence may also occur in severe diarrhoea. Other causes include injury to the anal muscles (as may occur during childbirth), paraplegia, and dementia.
If the underlying cause of faecal impaction is constipation, recurrence may be prevented by a high-fibre diet. Suppositories containing glycerol or laxative drugs may be recommended. Faecal incontinence in people with dementia or a nerve disorder may be avoided by regular use of enemas or suppositories to empty the rectum.... incontinence, faecal
Involuntary passing of urine, often due to injury or disease of the urinary tract. There are several types. Stress incontinence refers to the involuntary escape of urine when a person coughs, picks up a heavy package, or moves excessively. It is common in women, particularly after childbirth, when the urethral sphincter muscles are stretched. In urge incontinence, also known as irritable bladder, an urgent desire to pass urine is accompanied by inability to control the bladder as it contracts. Once urination starts, it cannot be stopped. Total incontinence is a complete lack of bladder control due to an absence of sphincter activity, which may be associated with spinal cord damage. Overflow incontinence occurs in longterm urinary retention, often because of an obstruction such as an enlarged prostate gland. The bladder is always full, leading to constant dribbling of urine.Incontinence may also be due to urinary tract disorders (including infections, bladder stones, or tumours) or prolapse of the uterus or vagina. Incontinence due to lack of control by the brain commonly occurs in the young (see enuresis) or elderly and those with learning difficulties.
If weak pelvic muscles are causing stress incontinence, pelvic floor exercises may help. Sometimes, surgery may be needed to tighten the pelvic muscles or correct a prolapse. Anticholinergic drugs may be used to relax the bladder muscle if irritable bladder is the cause.
If normal bladder function cannot be restored, incontinence pants can be worn; men can wear a penile sheath leading into a tube connected to a urine bag. Some people can avoid incontinence by self-catheterization (see catheterization, urinary). Permanent catheterization is necessary in some cases.... incontinence, urinary
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