The term incontinence typically refers to urinary incontinence or the inability to hold your urine. However, "incontinence" may also refer to a similar condition affecting the bowels--fecal or bowel incontinence, where one is unable to hold his stool or feces. Either problem may be slight or severe and may be temporary or permanent in nature.
Types
There are several types of incontinence, including stress incontinence, where one loses control over the flow of urine due to a sudden stress such as sneezing, laughing or exercising; urge incontinence, where one is unable to resist a sudden, intense urge to urinate; functional incontinence, where one simply isn't able to make it to the toilet in time; gross total incontinence, where the bladder continuously leaks or dribbles urine; and overflow incontinence, where one is unable to completely empty the bladder.
Risk Factors
Those more likely to suffer from incontinence include woman, especially those who have passed through pregnancy, childbirth or menopause, men with prostate problems, the aged, obese individuals, smokers and those suffering from diseases such as diabetes or other kidney problems. Fecal incontinence in particular may be linked to nerve and muscle damage resulting from childbirth.
Causes
Some behaviors or conditions that may lead to urinary incontinence in particular include drinking carbonated drinks, tea or coffee, eating highly spiced, sugared or acidic foods that aggravated your bladder, dehydration, over-hydration, alcohol or other diuretics, urinary tract infections and constipation. Constipation may also lead to fecal incontinence, as it causes the muscles of the rectum to stretch out and weaken.
Complications
Both fecal and urinary incontinence can be the cause of embarrassment or shame to the sufferer and may result in skin problems or negatively affect one's day-to-day activities, work and social lives.
Remedies
Possibly lifestyle changes that may help reduce the occurrence of both fecal and urinary incontinence include making getting to the toilet in time easier, whether by clearing obstacles out of the way or moving the bed closer, using a bedpan, cleaning and drying thoroughly after using the bathroom or having an accident, eating extra fiber and drinking less liquid before bed.
Treatments
Possible treatments for both fecal and urinary incontinence include surgery, sacral nerve stimulation or use of absorbent undergarments. Those with fecal incontinence may benefit from bowel training or biofeedback and dietary changes. Pelvic floor muscle exercises, also known as Kegels, or electrical stimulation of pelvic floor muscles via the rectum or vagina may be used to help treat urinary incontinence.
