ANSWER
Recognising Nocturnal Urinary Incontinence in Elderly People and Its Potential Causes
Your friend should think about the following additional possible reasons of nocturnal urine incontinence, even if controlling fluid intake can be beneficial:
Age-Related Changes: Incontinence is exacerbated by decreased bladder capacity, weak pelvic floor muscles, and higher post-void residual urine in older persons.
Medical Conditions at the Root:
UTIs, or urinary tract infections: Urgency and nocturnal incontinence can result from infections that irritate the bladder.
Diabetes: Polyuria, particularly at night, can result from poorly managed blood sugar.
Sleep Disorders: Disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea can cause an increase in urine production at night.
Drugs: Some drugs, like sedatives or diuretics, might make incontinence worse.
Functional and Cognitive Factors: The grandma may not be able to get to the restroom in time due to arthritis or mobility problems.
Dementia and other cognitive problems can make it difficult to detect or react to the urge to urinate.
Dietary Triggers: Drinking alcohol, caffeine, or spicy foods might aggravate symptoms by irritating the bladder.
Continence Support Aids
Your buddy can use a number of tools and techniques to successfully control her grandmother’s nocturnal incontinence:
Protective Clothes: To control leaks and save bedding, use absorbent briefs or pads made especially for use at night.
Bed Protection: Disposable or washable bed pads and waterproof mattress covers can simplify cleanup.
Bladder training: Promote regular urination before bed and possibly wake the grandma occasionally throughout the night to urinate.
Exercises for the Pelvic Floor: Over time, Kegel exercises can help build stronger pelvic muscles and enhance bladder control.
Mobility Aids: By eliminating the need to walk to the restroom, a bedside urinal or commode helps lower the risk of falls.
Medical Interventions: Encourage speaking with a healthcare professional if symptoms continue. Medication to control an overactive bladder or a referral to a pelvic floor therapy-focused physical therapist are two possible treatments.
Reducing the Risk of Falls
To lessen the chance of falls, think about:
ensuring that there is enough nighttime lighting (such as motion-activated nightlights).
removing debris and rugs that could cause trips.
providing footwear or non-slip socks for safe mobility.
In conclusion
Your friend’s grandmother’s quality of life can be enhanced by encouraging her to utilise the proper continence aids and keep an eye out for any possible underlying problems. Her grandmother will receive the proper care and intervention if it is emphasised how important it is to see a healthcare provider if symptoms continue.
Citations
Bradway, C., and Dowling-Castronovo, A. (2019). Elderly urinary incontinence: Evaluation and treatment. North American Nursing Clinics, 54(4), 481-494. 10.1016/j.cnur.2019.07.006 has been published.
Ageing National Institute. (undated). senior folks’ bladder health. taken from the website https://www.nia.nih.gov
The Mayo Clinic, n.d. incontinence of the urine. taken from the Mayo Clinic website.
QUESTION
Chapter 20 – Urinary Function
While out shopping with your friend, she shares that she has been taking care of her grandmother at her home quite frequently lately and that she has noted that the grandmother has been suffering with urinary incontinence at night when it has never been an issue previously. She also mentions that she decreased her grandmother’s fluid intake but realized that could cause dehydration. She then discussed not taking in fluids after 7 PM with her grandmother and while that assisted a little, she is still having episodes of incontinence while in bed. She is concerned about her grandmother’s incontinence worsening and the possibility of her falling due to the incontinence at night while she is trying to get to the bathroom.
Instructions:
1. Answer the following questions:
a. What other information could you share with your friend besides fluid intake that may be a possible cause for the incontinency?
b. What continence aids are there to assist your friend and the grandmother?
2. Your paper should be:
. One (1) page or more.
. Use factual information from the textbook and/or appropriate articles and websites.
. Cite your sources – type references according to the APA Style Guide