Incontinence Flashcards
What do we need to be continent?
1) Functional anatomy
2) Neurological integrity
3) Physical function
4) Environmental access
5) Psychological factors
What other group of people other than the elderly have continence problems?
1) Women who have had children
2) People with neurological problems
Describe the nervous system of the bladder
- The parasympathetic system controls the internal sphincter (involuntary) - at 200-300ml the stretch receptors in the bladder send signals to the brain and back to the internal sphincter
- Somatic nervous system controls the external sphincter (voluntary control)
What skin condition can sitting in urine/faeces lead to?
Dermatitis
How can peripheral oedema lead to incontinence?
When you lie down, the fluid goes back into the circulation and then can wake up needing the toilet
How does fluid/food intake affect continence?
- Drinking caffeine/fluid right before bed may lead to night incontinence
- People may dehydrate themselves to avoid needing the toilet during the day
What conditions can be linked to incontinence?
- Stroke
- MS
- Heart failure
- PD
- Dementia
- Abdominal operations
- Hernia
- Obesity
How does obstetric/gynae history link to incontinence?
- If delivered multiple children vaginally the chances that their pelvic floor muscles are intact by the time they are 60 is low
- Increased risk if forceps delivery
- Episiotomy (faecal incontinence?)
What types of medications can be linked to incontinence?
Medications that promote passing urine or cause constipation
What mnemonic is used to screen for incontinence?
URINE
How do you screen for incontinence with URINE?
1) Urgency
2) Regular trips
3) Incontinence, UTIs, indwelling catheter
4) Nocturia
5) Exercise, sneeze, cough leakage
What mnemonic is used to assess incontinence?
DRIPS
How do you assess incontinence with DRIPS?
1) Drugs/dementia
2) Rectal exam
3) Image bladder (post void residual volume)
4) PV - vaginal examination
5) Send urine sample if symptoms of UTI
What would you want to check for in a rectal exam in incontinence?
- Constipation
- Anal tone if faecally incontinent
Describe post void residual volume (PVRV) imaging
- Residual volume in bladder
- If the bladder doesn’t fully empty due to e.g. prostate, constipation, neurological problems
- e.g. RV of 500ml so when add any amount on top it leaks
- Imaging using US or bladder scanner
What are you looking for in a vaginal exam in incontinence?
- Vaginal atrophy
- Uterine prolapse
Why are urine dips pointless in old people when testing for a UTI?
- > 50% of 80 year olds would have a positive urine dip regardless of whether they have an infection esp. bacteriuria
- 80% of time don’t have UTI and something has been missed
When are urine dips useful in old people?
- Proteinuria - kidney disease
- Haematuria - endocarditis