HELPING A LOVED ONE COPE WITH INCONTINENCE
According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, approximately 20 million adult women and 6 million adult men experience or have experienced bladder-control issues, such as urinary incontinence(UI).

As people age, they experience a reduction in how much their bladders can hold, increasing the chances of involuntary urine release. However, getting older doesn't necessarily mean that you'll have incontinence. There are some simple strategies you can try on your own that may help improve your bladder-control problem. Doctors often call these strategies "behavior therapies." They're safe, easy, effective and inexpensive. These techniques can be used before resorting to other types of treatment, such as medications or surgery, or in combination with them. Sometimes behavior therapies are the only treatment you need.

For many older adults, a solution to UI may be as simple as limiting their fluid intake before going to bed. Rather than drinking a full glass of water with nighttime medications, only take a few sips. In some cases, UI can be related to medicines such as water pills used to treat heart conditions, liver cirrhosis, hypertension and kidney diseases. Adjusting the time these pills are taken to earlier in the day may help control bladder irritation. Other dietary irritants can include both caffeinated and decaffeinated tea, coffee and carbonated drinks; artificial sweeteners; citrus; and tomatoes.

Older adults who are challenged by arthritis, diabetes or neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease may experience mobility issues that can prevent them from reaching a toilet or removing clothing, which can result in leakage. In these situations, treatment may consist of bladder retraining, adult absorbent products, catheterization or a surgical procedure.
Another possible cause of urinary incontinence in older men is prostate gland enlargement, which is treatable with medication or a surgical procedure. Urinary tract infections that are common in older adults can usually be controlled with antibiotics.

Remember, UI is not a disease, but a symptom of another condition. In most cases, incontinence can be treated or at least managed comfortably.

source: http://www.rightathome.net/