Incontinence is actually a common experience for millions of people around the world, but no one likes to talk about this because of the associated shame. Lots of people misunderstand incontinence due to popular myths that have been spread about the condition for years. The truth is that nobody should be ashamed or let incontinence control their lives. Here are some of the most common myths about incontinence and the actual facts that we all should know.
Myth 1: Incontinence is Normal with Age
Many people incorrectly believe that incontinence is just a natural symptom of ageing. While incontinence is more common in older adults, it is not inevitable. Loss of bladder control can happen to anyone at any age, due to a range of causes. Factors that can contribute to the onset of incontinence at any stage of life include difficult births, smoking, hormone deficits, and neurological disease, not just the reduction in kidney function that occurs as bodies age.
Myth 2: Incontinence Only Happens to Old People
Again, incontinence is frequently seen as just something that happens when you get old. It is associated with elderly people who need to be looked after, which is not always the case at all. People can experience the symptoms of incontinence as young as in their early twenties, while the average age of people treated for incontinence is mid-forties. This is younger than the common perception of incontinence sufferers because it is more common in middle age.
Myth 3: Incontinence Rarely Affects Men
As incontinence can occur due to the weakening of the pelvic floor after childbirth, it is often seen as a problem that primarily affects women. However, men of all ages can experience incontinence, too. When men have incontinence it is most often due to a problem with their prostate, though this is not always the cause. Treatments for prostate cancer can affect the bladder control of patients who never experienced incontinence before surgery or therapy.
Myth 4: There Is Only One Type of Incontinence
There are several different types of incontinence which affect people in different ways. For example, transient incontinence is short-term and usually caused by a treatable infection or as a side effect of medication. Urge incontinence is the type most common in the elderly as it is involuntary, while many younger people have stress incontinence when pressure on their bladder causes leaks. Autonomic reflex incontinence or total incontinence is less common.
Myth 5: Incontinence is Due to a Small Bladder
Most people with incontinence have an average-sized bladder with reduced functionality due to causes such as infection, surgery, muscle weakness, neurological impairment, or damage to nerves. It is rarely anything to do with the size of the bladder and its capacity. People with incontinence who have to go to the toilet frequently might feel like their bladder is too small, but physically the organ itself will be a normal size - there are other reasons for overactivity.
Myth 6: Drinking Less Will Prevent Incontinence
Linked to the small bladder myth is the idea that you can avoid incontinence if you simply drink less liquid. People mistakenly believe that drinking less means that your body will produce less waste, meaning fewer dashes to the toilet. However, limiting liquid intake can lead to dehydration and a host of other health problems. With fewer fluids, concentrated urine can irritate the bladder and actually make the symptoms of incontinence worse in the end.
Myth 7: Avoiding Exercise Will Prevent Incontinence
Stress incontinence is the type of incontinence which is triggered by downward pressure. Activities such as lifting, running, or jumping can trigger this and lead to accidents. As a result, many people feel that they need to avoid physical exercise to prevent embarrassing accidents. In actual fact, exercising can help to strengthen your muscles and improve your incontinence in the long run. There are specific pelvic floor exercises that can help as well.
Myth 8: Incontinence is Annoying, but Not Serious
It is true that incontinence is not a fatal or life-shortening disease, but it is more than just an inconvenience that you just have to live with. It can cause a lot of stress and have a negative impact on your life due to restricting activities and therefore the quality of life, as well as physical complications such as skin irritation and rashes. In addition, incontinence can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition which may be a serious issue requiring further treatment.
Myth 9: Incontinence is Permanent and Irreversible
Again, incontinence is not an inevitable aspect of the human body getting older. If this does develop at any point, it is possible to reduce incontinence almost completely with appropriate treatment for the underlying causes. There are plenty of remedies that you can try upon the recommendation of a doctor, from Kegel exercises to medication. Different treatments work for different people, you just have to try things to find an incontinence solution that suits you.
Myth 10: Surgery and Medication are the Only Options for Successful Incontinence Treatment
Drastic measures like surgery and taking medication constantly seem like the only options for successfully relieving incontinence. However, this is usually one of the last treatments after others have been exhausted. There are behavioural treatments, exercises and lifestyle modifications, dietary supplements, and biofeedback which can work alone or in combination with each other. In the meantime, it is easy to manage incontinence with the correct products to keep you hygienic and avoid leaks, stains, or odours. There are lots of specially designed incontinence protection products to choose from to suit a range of comfort levels and needs.
