The best sources for incontinence help include doctors or health care providers, support groups, and sometimes professional counseling. There are also various medications and products on the market to help alleviate or deal with symptoms. These will vary based on the type of incontinence and the underlying cause.
To deal with the emotional issues related to incontinence, a support group or therapist may be a good option. Whether urinary or fecal incontinence, the condition can be stressful and embarrassing if bladder or bowel control is lost during a social situation. Support groups are comprised of other sufferers of the condition who understand the frustrations and stress that go with it. Groups generally talk about symptom management techniques and offer emotional support to one another. Families of incontinence sufferers may also attend to learn more about the condition and how to best help their loved ones.
Therapy is another form of incontinence help that deals with the emotional aspects of the condition. A trained therapist or counselor can offer techniques for reducing stress in social situations, ways to discuss the issue with family and friends, and tactics for overcoming feelings of embarrassment or shame. This can make patients feel more confident when facing gatherings or other social situations.
Other sources of incontinence help come in the form of medications, treatments, and other devices which may make symptoms less likely to occur. Doctors may be able to prescribe medicines which may alleviate the cause of incontinence in many situations. Sometimes surgery may also be an option.
Urinary incontinence is the most common type of incontinence, and symptoms can be masked with the use of disposable undergarments. This form of incontinence help prevents leakage in the event of an accident by absorbing urine. Males may also make use of an incontinence clamp, which is a device that fits directly over the penis to stop the flow of urine. Fecal incontinence may be helped minimally with the use of disposable undergarments to prevent soiling of the clothes.
Patients should seek incontinence help as soon as symptoms become problematic. Occasional loss of bowel or bladder control is considered normal, but this should be a temporary state. Incontinence may occur after certain illnesses or medical procedures and is sometimes reversible depending on the situation. Sufferers are advised to speak with a doctor for treatment options.
