What are the correct care methods for urinary incontinence?

Normal people have the ability to control their urination. Many people can hold it in during defecation even if they feel very anxious. However, for many patients with urinary incontinence, they don’t feel the urge to defecate, but urine flows out unconsciously, which can be very embarrassing. If there happen to be people around, the excretion of urine will emit an odor, and others will smell it and look to us unconsciously. Excessive urine secretion not only makes the underwear wet, but also easily wets the pants, which makes people feel very embarrassed. In addition to auxiliary treatment methods, patients with urinary incontinence should observe the state of their condition, actively cooperate with the doctor's treatment, and pay attention to cleanliness and change clothes in time to avoid the odor caused by urinary incontinence from spreading and affecting people around them.

Precautions

Prepare patients for diagnostic tests such as cystoscopy, cystometry, and complete neurologic examination. Collect a urine specimen.

Control incontinence first through bladder retraining. To prevent stress incontinence, patients are taught to do Kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles.

If the patient's incontinence is caused by a neurologic disorder, monitor the patient for urinary retention and give them regular catheterization. If possible, teach the patient how to catheterize. Patients with permanent urinary incontinence may undergo urethral reconstruction.

Daily care

1. Determine the cause and type of urinary incontinence and assess the patient's urinary continence.

2. Observe the patient's urination frequency, volume, odor, and color, and evaluate urine routine laboratory indicators.

3. Keep the patient's perineal skin clean and dry, such as: timely washing with warm water, using disposable diapers, pads, electric urine reservoirs, aseptic catheterization technology and indwelling urinary catheters, etc.

4. It is recommended that patients undergo urodynamic testing of bladder function and seek expert consultation.

5. Teach patients to reduce or control the intake of bladder-irritating beverages or foods, such as tea, coffee, cola, chocolate, etc. Patients are encouraged to drink 1500 ml of water per day, but it is recommended to limit fluid intake 2 hours before bedtime.

6. Teach patients with functional, stress, and urge urinary incontinence to perform urination habit training, and teach patients with urge urinary incontinence to perform bladder training.

7. Encourage patients to actively participate in rehabilitation training and select measures suitable for patients, such as pelvic floor muscle training, urination habit training, and bladder training.

8. Record the patient's urination pattern and urine volume, discuss the rehabilitation plan and expected results with the patient, and continuously revise nursing measures to promote rehabilitation.