Continence
and You
Some Tips
Not being
able to control your urine or faeces is probably one of the hardest problems
you face.
The problem
arises from not having control over the emptying of your bladder or bowels
- the places where urine and feces collect before leaving your body.
Many people
(or caregivers) with hydrocephalus do manage to work out a routine which
helps them stay clean and dry.
Bladder
There are
lots of reasons why your bladder needs to be emptied regularly. Most important
is the need to prevent infection and to keep your kidneys healthy. A routine
which works well will keep your skin dry and so help stop pressure sores.
And remember,
it's not very pleasant to smell of urine - either for you or those around
you.
Helpful hints
- Drink plenty
of fluids to keep your urine clear and your kidneys healthy.
- Don't have
too many drinks which contain caffeine such as coffee, tea or Coke. Caffeine
upsets the bladder which may lead to more infections. Drink fruit juices,
particularly cranberry juice - they are better for you.
- Drink less
beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks. If you drink too many of these,
they can play havoc with your bladder management. If you drink too much
alcohol, you may forget to empty your continence bag and this might leak
- causing you and your friends a lot of embarrassment. When you go drinking
with friends, order low-alcohol lager or wine. These give the taste without
the alcohol.
Help!
Different
ways to empty your bladder properly can include:
- Using a catheter.
Some people use a catheter (or tube) to empty their bladder every three
or four hours. You may hear this called Clean Intermittent Catheterisation
(CIC).
- Indwelling
catheter. This stays in the bladder all the time and drains into a bag.
- Penile sheath
(for boys only). This fits over the penis and also drains into a bag.
- Medicines
from your doctor.
- Operations.
There are several different operations available to help bladder control.
Ask a continence adviser or your doctor if you want to know more about
these.
Bowels
Emptying your
bowel will help stop you from becoming bunged up or leaking on your underwear.
Helpful hints
- Drink plenty!
This helps keep the faeces soft, so going to the toilet is easier.
- Eat a high-fibre
diet - lots of fresh fruit, vegetables and cereals.
- Exercise
helps to keep your bowel fit!
- To help you
go at your usual time, sit on the toilet after a meal or hot drink, take
a big breath and push hard. A continence adviser could explain this more
fully to you.
Help!
Different
ways to empty your bowel properly could include:
- Enemas or
suppositories. These have to be prescribed by your doctor or continence
adviser. They are put inside the bottom as high as possible and help to
get things moving.
- Medicines
from your doctor.
- Sometimes
just stroking the entrance to the bottom can help you get the urge to go
to the toilet.
- High bowel
washout. Your continence adviser will show you how to put a special tube
into your bottom and then put water up the tube to help the faeces come
out.
- Operations.
There are several operations which may help control your bowel. Ask a continence
adviser or your doctor if you want to know more.
Daily Check
List to Improve your Bladder and Bowel Routine
1. Always
drink lots of fluids. Cranberry juice is good for you.
2. Try not
to drink too much coffee, tea and Coke.
3. Make sure
that your bladder empties properly.
4. Eat a good
diet. If you don't know the right kinds of food, ask.
5. Do some
exercise every day.
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