Incontinence in Parkinson’s

Incontinence in Parkinson’s: Exploring Causes And Coping Mechanisms

Parkinson’s disease brings profound mobility and coordination challenges resulting from neurodegeneration. Yet one of the most disruptive – and least talked about – symptoms accompanying Parkinson’s often proves bladder and bowel control issues leading to incontinence.  

Coping with leaks and accidents not only causes physical discomfort but also leads to anxiety, depression, and social isolation for Parkinson’s patients affected by incontinence. Thankfully, various mechanisms triggering loss of bladder control in Parkinson’s today are better understood, leading to more customized treatment and practical self-care approaches such as the use of adult incontinence products.

Parkinson’s Disease`

Bladder Symptoms and Parkinson’s: Far from Rare  

While mobility limitations like rigid muscles, tremors, and balance problems represent Parkinson’s most visible hallmarks, incontinence symptoms also frequently accompany neurological degeneration: 

  • Over 28% of males and 25% of females of Parkinson’s patients experience incontinence episodes  
  • 1 in 3 affected persons report bladder control issues among their most bothersome symptoms 
  • Most people with existing prostate conditions like BPH develop worsened urgency and frequency when Parkinson’s arises

Yet discussing leaks and bladder changes remains taboo – even amongst family and friends supporting loved ones adapting to Parkinson’s treatment regimens. Letting fear prevent access to solutions worsens physical and emotional health. Instead, exploring why Parkinson’s hampers reliable bladder control reveals approaches to restoring confidence and dignity.

Parkinson’s Causes Incontinence

How Parkinson’s Causes Incontinence 

Several mechanisms collaborate, generating pelvic floor dysfunction and leaks accompanying Parkinson’s neurodegeneration: 

1. Motor Impacts 

Parkinson’s damage of striatal nerve pathways directly impairs the brain’s ability to relax the external bladder sphincter for complete voiding intentionally. Simultaneously, cerebellum damage leads to decreased coordination timing between relax/contract cycles regulating controlled bladder leaks. Both effects combine worsening urgency, frequency, and overflow. 

2. Medication Side Effects 

Ironically, carbidopa/levodopa compounds like Sinemet doctors prescribe to manage Parkinson’s motor systems also commonly create urgency and frequency as side effects. Ditropan and Propantheline prove better options directly addressing spastic bladders. 

3. Inflexibility 

Parkinson’s iconic muscular rigidity also extends the pelvic floor and abdominal muscles, which must be fully relaxed during bladder leaks. Tight yet weak striated muscles flex erratically rather than coordinating relaxation, supporting intentional continence. 

4. Autonomic Dysfunction 

Involuntary actions like breathing and digestion controlled by the autonomic nervous system also govern the bladder – functions usually not requiring conscious input. But Parkinson’s hinders autonomic signaling between the brain and bladder muscles essential for adaptation. 

5. Prostate Enlargement 

Finally, men disproportionately develop prostate enlargement simultaneously with Parkinson’s. The added anatomical obstruction generates overactivity and urgency, compounding neurogenic bladder challenges. 

Pinpointing exactly which mechanisms trigger specific patient leaks guides customized medical, lifestyle, and surgical interventions, providing relief and increasing life quality.

Incontinence Risks For Parkinson’s Patients

Coping with Incontinence: Treatments and Practical Approaches  

While no protocol eliminates incontinence risks for all Parkinson’s patients, today’s expanding range of treatments empowers significant symptom management, restoring confidence and independence. Exploring options with care teams leads to custom solutions optimizing comfort and control. 

Medical and Surgical Therapies 

Doctors tailor combinations of bladder relaxants and urgency-suppressing medications, providing direct symptom relief. Some of the medical and surgical therapies include; 

  • Anticholinergics – Blocking parasympathetic nerves calms spasmodic bladder muscles while reducing daytime bathroom trips and night waking. Oxybutynin (Ditropan) works best, while Trospium (Sanctura) avoids cognitive side effects. 
  • Mirabegron – Originally approved for alleviating overactive bladders in elderly patients, Myrbetriq gently relaxes muscles while allowing coordination strengthening, avoiding retention risks. Well tolerated with fewer side effects. 
  • Duodopa Intestinal Gel – A potent levodopa infusion therapy delivered via abdominal pumps directly into the intestines results in better medication absorption while reducing side effects like urgency. Candidate for late-stage patients.   
  • Sacral Neuromodulation Implants– Implanting pulse generators alongside sacral nerves ameliorates signals between the spinal cord and bladder, emitting gentle electrical pulses that support normal voiding function. Lasting solution after trials succeed. 
  • Diversion Surgery – When conservative options plateau, diverting bladder drainage via tubes through the lower abdomen into external bags as a last resort prevents bladder pressure from triggering leaks, improving comfort.

Discussing which treatments might address both symptoms and underlying dysfunction best comes first. Every patient responds uniquely, so customizing management using feedback optimizes relief and balancing quality of life priorities.

Absorbent Guards and Undergarments 

While exploring pharmaceutical and surgical options, protective incontinence products temporarily safeguard dignity and skin integrity: 

  • Incontinence Underwear– substitutes discreet, reusable liners for bulky pads, better suiting active lifestyles with less disruption. Most absorbent adult diapers like Wellness Absorbent Underwear handle moderate flows confidently while wicking for dryness. 
  • Male incontinence supplies in designs provide an anatomical masculine fit inside standard underwear with security rivaling more clinical adult diaper styles. 
  • For the heaviest bladder loss scenarios, super absorbent adult diapers like Wellness Excelarator Booster Pads handle flooding in adapted living environments should it arise. Tab styles aid caregiver changes.

Lifestyle Adjustments For Adult Incontinence

Lifestyle Adjustments Enhancing Continence 

Simple daily habit changes further bolster reliable bladder control, reducing ‘accidents’: 

  • Diet Modifications like avoiding bladder irritants, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners while increasing fiber-rich fruits soothe urgency, allowing better control. 
  • Timing – Scheduled Bathroom Breaks every 2-3 hours combat dysfunctional signaling urges not aligning with actual bladder volume.   
  • Fluid Intake Management via tracking input/output guides moderating consumption, preventing excessive bladder production and overwhelming capacity. 
  • Timed Voiding Practice Sessions strengthen pelvic coordination, essentially “relearning” relaxed voiding, minimizing start/stop hesitation streams worsening urgency. 
  • Stress & Constipation Reduction eases muscle rigidity since anxiety and straining trigger reflex bladder contractions, losing patience for distractions, and delaying toileting.  
  • Physical Therapy relieves muscular guarding and rigidity via manual myofascial release, biofeedback, and electrical stimulation, restoring pelvic coordination.

Adjusting habits and environment proves most effective when supported professionally by specialty physical therapists and continence nurses guiding adaptations aligning individual symptom patterns and living priorities. 

Final Thoughts: Overcoming Stigma and Reclaiming Understanding    

While incontinence remains an under-discussed symptom, you and the Parkinson’s community continue taking steps to lift stigmas. You gain a greater understanding of this secondary complication through advocacy, education, and open communication.  

Moving forward with compassion and solidarity, you can normalize your nonlinear journey and customize care, including purpose-driven incontinence supplies, to live vibrantly. Though challenges persist, hope emerges as you share stories, advice, and small wins, transforming taboo topics into tools to retain dignity. Together, you move beyond stigma and shyness to face this complex condition with empathy and purpose-driven solutions.

About Wellness Briefs Technology

Incontinence is an embarrassing problem. The Wellness briefs can provide you an efficient solution to this problem.

The technology behind Wellness incontinence products

Nowadays adult diapers are readily available in the market but not all come with as superior features as Wellness briefs. The Wellness adult briefs have been designed based on the principles of MAG (Maximum Absorbency Garments) which have been specially created for astronauts. NASA has used a super absorbent polymer with a capacity to absorb up to 60 times its volumes. (more…)