Good Advice about Incontinence

[SKCW]

A kind member, sharon crayn, was kind enough to take the time to educate me so that I could better help my mom. It's such good advice, I needed to share for others facing the same:

Urologists fall into 2 basic types: generalists who treat all types of urologic symptoms and problems, and those who specialize on a specific gender or disease. Both are typically board certified in the US.

With PD, women face somewhat of a problem since men outnumber them 2:1. Therefore, you want a urologist who knows women issues not only for PD but incontinence, particularly fecal because that is far more troubling than urinary.

Those small number of physicians who deal with seniors are veery familiar with incontinence. Generally, they try to start with non-pharmaceutical, non-surgical solutions. Avoid any initial solutions to do invasive methods or heavy drugs. You can work with your mother to implement the techniques I outline below before trying anything more drastic. Implement them slowly but surely.

1) Kegel exercise or pelvic floor exercises to tone the core. Everyday. As much as she can handle. Some kegel procedures and tools are better than others. Experiment if you can.

2) Reducing or eliminating foods that can cause fecal incontinence...

which are normally coffee, fatty foods, oils, diary products, dense proteins...versus increasing FIBER rich foods to at least 40-50 grams per day...Maintain a daily food journal to ensure she is getting enough bulky fiber. Don't guess. Calculate.

3) Maintain continual water hydration up to at least 32 ounces spaced equally throughout the day especially before any meal.

4) Bio feedback by marking the time she has episodes with a constant attempt to reduce the number of episodes. Progress is important (a consistent set of time(s) each day where she goes to the bathroom is your goal).

5) Use of a fecal pad (sanitary type pad) at night to reduce the number of times she has to get up or a female specific urinary type catheter (Amazon) if she does not have a stool problem at night.

6) No food after 6 PM, and minimal fluid intake, totally darkened room, ...so she can go the night with as little disturbance as possible.

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sanitary napkins/diapers = ABRI-SAN is the brand I usually recommend. Make sure you get the correct size!

Female catheter = Advantage is what I usually recommend. You will have to train her on how to use it. For men, it is somewhat easier, but it isn't impossible to learn.

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Kegel = I usually recommend the iStim P-13 (also available from Amazon). Some like it; some don't. You may find it worthwhile to experiment.

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bed pad = epica ...but I also recommend another one that doesn't slide as much. A "tuck in" type. You will probably need a least 2 or more