Living With Incontinence

In Singapore, it is estimated that about 10-40% of the population has some form of urinary incontinence.

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There are many factors that can affect a person’s ability to maintain continence. It is better to be well informed about continence care so as to be better prepared to help a loved one if it becomes necessary. Incontinence can affect a person’s physical health, self-esteem and dignity. With better knowledge, we hope that people with incontinence can better manage their condition, and continue to live a happy and fulfilling life.

SYMPTOMS

Incontinence is a condition characterised by the involuntary loss of urine or faeces. It can manifest in various forms and severity levels, impacting individuals of all ages and genders. Understanding the symptoms and causes of incontinence is crucial for effective management and treatment. For this article, we will focus on urinary incontinence.

Contrary to popular belief, urinary incontinence does not only happen when you get older. Although it can happen more often as we get older, there are many other possible causes for urinary incontinence which can be managed once it is been accurately diagnosed by a urologist. In most cases, urinary incontinence commonly happens when control over the urinary sphincter is lost or weakened, and is typically more common among women.

Urinary incontinence can occur as:

• Stress Incontinence - Physical activities like coughing, sneezing or exercising

• Urge Incontinence - Sudden urgent need to urinate

• Overflow Incontinence - Frequent or constant dribbling of urine due to a bladder that does not empty completely

• Functional Incontinence - Physical or mental impairment that keeps one from making it to the toilet in time

• Overactive Bladder - Frequent urination

• Nocturia - Waking up multiple times during the night to urinate