Many years ago, certain subjects that pertained to body functions were considered taboo and weren’t to be discussed. Though people have come a long way on what they’ll openly talk about since that time, talking about bladder and bowel functions hasn’t changed all that much.
These are still considered very private matters and many people are embarrassed to talk to their doctors about it, much less have a discussion with their peers on the matter.
But, unfortunately, bladder and bowel functions are affected as we get older and we simply need to talk about it. Having a discussion about troubling health issues can actually help you see that you’re not alone.
That’s the worst part about getting older as your body begins to let you down. When you have struggles with functioning the way that you once did, it can make you feel like you’re the only one in the world going through what you’re going through.
By talking about it, you can find the support that you need from your friends and family as well as from your doctor. Urinary incontinence is common as people get older.
This is because the muscles that control the bladder weaken over time. However, bladder problems can also be a sign that there’s something serious going on. Whenever there’s incontinence or trouble starting a flow of urine, it should be evaluated.
The causes can be temporary or long term. For women, bladder problems can be linked to weakened bladder walls from childbirth. It can also be linked to infections.
Bladder problems that cause incontinence can also be caused from certain types of medications – such as high blood pressure medications. If you leak urine when you sneeze or cough, this can be a sign of a weakened bladder – but it can also be a sign that your bladder is simply too full.
In men, bladder problems should be evaluated because it can signal that the prostate has become enlarged and a more serious health issue needs to be ruled out.
As you age, it can be easier to suddenly lose control of the bowels. When you grow older, you can lose sensation so that you don’t feel the warning your body gives when it needs to have a bowel movement.
Some forms of dementia can also lead to problems with the bowel functions. Chronic constipation can lead to the muscles in the rectum getting stretched beyond their normal limits.
This overstretching can lead to fecal incontinence. Diarrhea can also be common as you grow older. But in most of the cases that involve bladder or bowel problems of any kind, there is treatment available so that it doesn’t have to affect your daily life. So if you or a loved one is experiencing difficulties in either of these areas, the best thing you can do is to seek help to remedy the cause.
