The Big I - Incontinence

  Many people are incontinent, but very few blog posts are written about it. Hmmm. I wonder why not.

As indicated in the comic strip above, a child or a weirdo may be curious about bathroom practices, but a wheeler probably knows.

Our society has strict, culture-specific rules and traditions about bathroom etiquette. Society tells us not to talk about it. It's not polite; it's taboo. We are often embarrassed to the point that common bathroom references are veiled in euphemisms. We see references in adolescent films and the occasional comic routines where toilet humor reigns supreme. But in polite society, we do not talk about it. The whole subject is a minefield, exploding in giggles and blushes or shock at the slightest reference.

Let's tread that minefield. Careful now.

There are at least four levels of bladder problems:

• urinary urgency when you just have to go, and you have to go NOW. No time to think. NOW!
  
• urinary hesitancy when you can't go at all.
• nocturia which means you go at night -- frequently.
• incontinence which is simply loss of control; you can't hold it, you can't stop it, you just go...whenever...wherever.

Incontinence is a symptom that affects 80% of MSers, and it is a symptom common across many types of disabilities. There are 20 - 25 million people in America with urinary Incontinence, and 6.5 million with bowel incontinence.

When confronted with the reality of incontinence, only 1 out of 12 overcome their embarrassment to even seek medical help. The trouble is that incontinence is not only embarrassing, but it can cause serious medical problems. If it is not treated, it can lead to urinary or bladder infections, or even kidney damage. In addition, not surprisingly, it can cause hygiene problems. And because it interferes with regular daily activities, it often leads to isolation. Yes, it is very serious.

So what do you do about it? Each of us manages according to personal preference, ability, and convenience.There's always surgery, but that is a last resort and works only for some causes. There are devices such as catheters or urethral inserts, and medications such as Ditropan or Detrol.

Dietary changes and reducing liquids and caffeinated drinks ease concerns about going out. Also helpful is physical exercise to increase control, or monitoring the time to ensure a bathroom is near at the right time. Diapers and adult undergarments are also options.

This little post made me think about how we as a society handle the taboo of bathroom practices. I think this taboo can be broken down with a bit more education. Incontinence is expensive, inconvenient and embarrassing. Bathroom etiquette may be a minefield, but I think of it as merely another speed bump along the disability path.


For more incontinence information, see WebMD.
Or check the experts' columns and forums at the Depends site.