Incontinence Flashcards
How much more common is urinary incontinence in women versus men?
Three times more common
How common is urinary incontinence in residential care?
25%
How common is urinary incontinence in nursing home care?
40%
How common is urinary incontinence in hospital care?
50-70%
Where is there a peak increase in incidence off urinary incontinence?
Between 50-59 years of age although over 80+ have the highest rates of severe and moderate urinary incontinence
Causes of incontinence?
> Extrinsic to the urinary system
- Environment, habit, physical fitness, etc.
> Intrinsic to the urinary system
- Problem with bladder or urinary outlet
> Often a bit of both
Extrinsic causes of incontinence?
> Physical state and co-morbidities > Reduced mobility > Confusion (delirium or dementia) > Drinking too much or at the wrong time > Medications, e.g. diuretics > Constipation > Home circumstances > Social circumstances
Function of the bladder?
Function of bladder:
> Urine storage
> Voluntary voiding
What is the muscle of the bladder?
Detrusor, which is a smooth muscle
Is the internal or external urinary sphincter smooth or striated muscle?
> Internal urethral sphincter is smooth muscle
> External urethral sphincter is striated muscle
How does voluntary voiding occur?
Involves voluntary relaxation of external sphincter and involuntary relaxation of internal sphincter and contraction of bladder.
How is urine stored and which volume?
Involves detrusor muscle relaxation with filling (<10CM pressure) to normal volume 400-600ML combined with sphincter contraction.
What is the local innervation of the urinary tract - Parasympathetic?
S2-S4:
- Increases strength and frequency of contractions
What is the local innervation of the urinary tract - Sympathetic?
T10-L2:
- ß - adrenoreceptor : Causes detrusor to relax.
- a - adrenoreceptor : Causes contraction of neck of bladder, and internal urethral sphincter.
What is the local innervation of the urinary tract - Somatic?
S2-S4:
- Contraction of pelvic floor muscle (urogenital diaphragm) and external urethral sphincter
Role of the CNS with urinary storage?
1) Centres within the CNS inhibit parasympathetic tone, and promote bladder relaxation and hence storage of urine.
2) Sphincter closure is mediated by reflex increase in a-adrenergic (internal) and somatic activity (External).
3) The pontine micturition centre normally exerts a “storage program” of neural connections until a voluntary switch to a voiding program occurs.
Other areas involved include:
- Frontal cortex
- Caudal part of spinal cord
Intrinsic factors of urinary incontinence?
> Bladder
Outlet
Pelvic floor/Sphincters
In stress incontinence what has happened to the bladder outlet?
Bladder outlet too weak
What are the characteristic features of stress incontinence?
> Urine leak on movement, coughing, laughing, squatting, etc.
Weak pelvic floor muscles
Common in women with children, especially after menopause
Treatments include: physiotherapy (Kegel exercises/pelvic floor stimulators), vaginal cones, oestrogen cream and duloxetine
Surgical option – TVT/colposuspension 90% cure at 10 years