The following are the most common types of incontinence, urinary/bladder, faecal/bowel, or double incontinence, which is the combination of both. All incontinence types can be aided by using the correct types of inco-pads and pants. They can help provide dignity and avoid embarrassment. Our discreet staff provide advice in our shops as well as explanatory videos on this website in the incontinence section.
Urinary / Bladder Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is considered the inability to control the release of urine from the bladder. This form of incontinence affects both men and women, but women are affected more commonly. About 1 in 3 women experience bladder leakage and it’s about 1 in 8 for men.
Bladder incontinence can be light, oftentimes resulting from a cough or laugh, when a little urine is passed, to heavy, when the bladder control is a lot weaker. This is normally due to age and weakened pelvic floor muscles. It can be temporary in childbearing women and this can be reversed by doing pelvic strengthening exercises.
Faecal / Bowel Incontinence
Faecal incontinence is considered the inability to control bowel movements. It affects both men and women. It affects people differently, depending on the type of incontinence; Involuntary, Urge or Leakage.
It’s mostly caused by aging, but also by muscle damage, stroke, conditions like prolapse, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) and it can also be caused by medications/laxatives.
Double Incontinence
Double incontinence, as the name suggests, occurs when individuals suffer from both bladder and bowel incontinence at the same time. This combination is most frequently resulting from aging with the oldest patients, oftentimes spending most of their time in bed. It affects both men and women.
We hope you’ve found this helpful. Visit www.murrays.ie/incontinence for further information.
