What is Functional Incontinence?
Urinary incontinence, meaning urine leakage is an involuntary loss of urine, sometimes without the person even realizing they have done so. Most people suffer from incontinence because of loss of bladder control.
Functional urinary incontinence, however, is caused by physical or mental barriers; which makes getting to and using the toilet difficult when you need to.
What Are the Causes of Functional Incontinence?
Functional incontinence might be caused due to various external or mental blocks.
Functional incontinence is often caused by problems that keep the person from moving quickly enough to reach the bathroom before an accident happens, remove clothing to relieve themselves, or due to a disability that keeps them from transferring from a wheelchair to a toilet.
Causes of Functional Incontinence include:
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Weak bladder muscles
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Weak pelvic floor muscles
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Overactive bladder muscles
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In men, blockage from an enlarged prostate
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Problems related to the muscles and bones such as back pain or arthritis.
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Pelvic organs that are out of place
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Damage to nerves due to neurological issues such as multiple sclerosis (MS), or Parkinson’s disease.
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Cognitive issues such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, delirium, and other intellectual disabilities.
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Psychological issues such as severe forms of depression.
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Sometimes, medications such as strong sedatives can create grogginess and brain fog, and the person doesn’t realize they need to use the restroom before it is too late.
It might not always be easy to find restroom facilities nearby. If they are, they might not be designed keeping people with disabilities in mind.
What are the Symptoms of Functional incontinence
The biggest sign of functional incontinence is that the person is unable to reach the toilet in toilet in time before an accident happens. It is not necessary that the person loses a few drops of urine or empty everything in their bladder at once all the time. The amount can vary. But one thing is certain, functional incontinence in and of itself doesn’t cause any pain.
How to diagnose functional incontinence?
Your doctor might recommend the following:
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A physical exam
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Taking your medical history
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Asking for your family medical history
These can help your doctor determine if other form of incontinence is also in play. For example, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis incontinence may be caused by both functional incontinence and urge incontinence.
What are the treatments for functional incontinence?
The treatment for functional incontinence is to work on the underlying condition that is resulting in the patient not reaching the toilet. This is how to control functional incontinence:
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Patients who are experiencing functional incontinence due to arthritis might find some relief if they seek treatment for arthritis.
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You can also find relief by making changes to your surroundings to improve accessibility to the toilet. Make sure the way to your bathroom is easily accessible and stays uncluttered.
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Before heading out locate where a nearby toilet is.
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Wear easy to remove clothing. Ditching pants with zippers for arthritic patients might be of help. Opt for elastic pants instead.
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Use diapers and absorbent products.
Wearing adult diapers can significantly reduce your chances of accidents caused by functional incontinence. You can easily find a good diaper that suits your needs in the market today. If you want to skip the trial and error part to get to the good part, try Friends Adult Diapers. Friends Adult Diapers:
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Provide superior absorption for up to 16 hours.
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Are made to fit YOUR body perfectly to prevent leaks, spills and uncomfortable bunching.
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Have side leak guards to prevent leakage from the sides.
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Are free of chlorine, latex, toxins and harmful chemical fragrances.
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Are available in a number of different variants including overnight, pant-style and tape-style diapers and a number of sizes including S, M, L, XL and XXL.
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Those who leak only a few drops of urine can use Friends Adult Insert Pads.
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Put Friends Underpads on your mattress for night-time incontinence.
Azadi Mubarak from urine leakage!
