Figures, data and facts
Incontinence, or the involuntary loss of urine or stool, is the most widespread but least known health problem in Western Europe. In Germany alone, around 10 million people are incontinent in one way or another. The number of unreported cases is even higher.
Those affected include women and men of all age groups and represent a serious hygienic and social problem for those affected. Incontinence can cause feelings of isolation and social embarrassment, which can lead to people being reluctant to seek help.
By using modern incontinence products, those affected can actively participate in life while maintaining discretion when wearing incontinence products.
Incontinence in women
by age
Incontinence in men
by age
Definition of "incontinence"
Continence is the ability to voluntarily empty the bladder or bowel at the right time and in the right place. Incontinence is any involuntary loss of urine or stool.
It is important to remember that incontinence is not a disease, but a symptom of an underlying disease with a variety of possible causes. Therefore, the diagnosis should always be made by a doctor and a treatment determined depending on the type of incontinence.
Severity levels
Incontinence can occur in different degrees of severity, which vary according to the individual needs and limitations of those affected. Differentiating between these levels of severity is important to ensure appropriate treatment and support for people with incontinence. Personalised therapy can help to control symptoms and enable those affected to enjoy a better quality of life.
Mild incontinence: approx. 50 - 100 ml urine loss in 4 hours
Mild incontinence is characterized by a loss of around 50 to 100 ml of urine within four hours. This form of incontinence leads to occasional and minor urine leakage that only has a minimal impact on everyday life.
Moderate incontinence: approx. 100 - 200 ml urine loss in 4 hours
With moderate incontinence, urine loss is around 100 to 200 ml in four hours. This leads to more frequent symptoms and a noticeable discomfort or impairment in daily life.
Severe incontinence: over 200 ml of urine loss in 4 hours
Severe incontinence occurs when urine loss exceeds 200 ml in four hours. This form of incontinence leads to considerable restrictions in quality of life and often requires intensive treatment and support.
Severe incontinence: permanent loss of more than 200 ml of urine
The most severe form of incontinence occurs when urine leakage of more than 200 ml persists. This situation requires particularly intensive care and possibly comprehensive medical treatment to control the symptoms and improve quality of life.
Symptoms
Incontinence is characterised by various symptoms that can vary depending on the type and cause of the condition. Typical symptoms include a sudden, frequent/constant urge to urinate. Uncontrolled loss of urine when sneezing, laughing or during physical exertion. Urinating at night and the constant need to go to the toilet, even if only a small amount of urine is passed. Skin irritation in the genital area and the constant wearing of wet clothing or bed linen can also occur. It is important to take these symptoms seriously and seek medical help to get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.
Causes and risk factors
The causes are multifold. The underlying cause is often weak pelvic floor muscles. In women, factors such as pregnancy, childbirth and menopause play an important role. However, other physical disorders in the bladder area, certain illnesses or medication are also possible causes.
Important!
Regardless of the underlying cause of the incontinence, it is advisable to visit your GP in good time. He or she will make a diagnosis, advise you, possibly refer you to a specialist and, if necessary, issue you with a prescription for incontinence products.
Different forms of incontinence
Classification into the correct form makes it easier for specialist consultants to select the right incontinence products. Modern incontinence care makes a significant contribution to promoting independence, well-being and therefore a better quality of life, as those affected often withdraw and become lonely without the right aids.
Stress incontinence
Stress incontinence is a type of urinary incontinence that occurs during physical exertion or sudden movements that increase the pressure in the abdomen. Typical triggers are coughing, sneezing, laughing or lifting heavy objects. In this form of incontinence, the urinary bladder sphincter cannot hold the increased pressure, which leads to involuntary leakage of urine.
Symptoms
- Depending on the severity, small to medium amounts of urine
- Dripping to splashing without urinary urgency and frequent urination
- Without pain when urinating
- Continent at night
Causes
- Bladder prolapse
- Accidents
- Nerve damage
- Overweight
- Chronic bronchitis
- Heavy physical strain
- In women: Weak connective tissue, childbirth, oestrogen deficiency
Urge incontinence
Urge incontinence, also known as urinary incontinence or irritable bladder, is a form of urinary incontinence in which there is a sudden and intense urge to urinate that often cannot be suppressed. This leads to uncontrolled urine leakage as the bladder contracts unpredictably and causes a strong urge to urinate - even when it is only slightly full. This hypersensitivity of the bladder can lead to involuntary urination.
Symptoms
- Sudden and intense urge to urinate
- Inability to suppress the urge to urinate
- Uncontrolled urination, even when the bladder is only slightly full
- Frequent visits to the toilet to empty the bladder
- Possible nocturnal urination (nocturia)
Causes
- Bladder stones or tumours
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Disease of the nervous system (e.g. multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease)
- In women: hormonal changes due to pregnancy or the menopause
- In men: enlarged prostate
Chronic urinary retention
Chronic urinary retention, also known as overflow incontinence, is a condition in which the bladder cannot be emptied completely, resulting in excessive residual urine. This is the cause of continuous dribbling. People with this problem often feel the urge to go to the toilet frequently, but the urine stream is weak or interrupted. Many also report the feeling of not being completely empty. They are also more prone to urinary tract infections.
Symptoms
- Constant need to urinate
- Frequent urination in small amounts
- Urge to urinate that cannot be emptied satisfactorily
- Pain or discomfort when urinating
- Feeling that the bladder is never completely empty
Causes
- Tumours
- Bladder stones
- Consequences of diseases (e.g. Parkinson's, diabetes, multiple sclerosis)
- For women: Uterine prolapse
- In men: changes to the prostate
Extraurethral incontinence
Extraurethral incontinence refers to a form of urinary incontinence in which urine leaks from the body in an unusual way. In contrast to normal urinary incontinence, where urine is released through the urethra, in extraurethral incontinence urine can leak from fistulas in the vagina, bowel and skin.
Anatomical abnormalities, injuries or surgical procedures can lead to the normal path of the urine being blocked or alternative routes being created through which the urine can flow out. This can lead to urine leaking out of the body in unusual places.
Symptoms
- Uncontrolled urine leakage from orifices other than the urethra
- Moisture or urine leakage in the vagina, bowel or other areas of the body
- Possibly no normal emptying of the bladder through the urethra
Causes
- Congenital anomalies in the urinary tract
- Injuries due to accidents, for example
- Chronic intestinal inflammation
- Fistulas or abnormalities in the urinary tract
- Surgical interventions in the pelvic area or on the urinary organs
Faecal incontinence
Faecal incontinence refers to the loss of the ability to evacuate bowel contents in a controlled manner. This type of incontinence can have various causes and affects people of all ages, although it is more common in older adults and people with certain medical conditions or injuries.
The physical functioning of faecal incontinence is often associated with problems in the digestive tract that lead to impaired bowel control. These may include weaknesses in the sphincter muscles of the anus or pelvic floor and damage to the nerves responsible for controlling the bowel.
Symptoms
- Involuntary loss of stool
- Soiled underwear
- Difficulty holding stools, especially during physical activity or after eating
Causes
- Damage to the anus or rectum due to injury or surgery
- Nerve damage in the area of the pelvic floor or spinal cord
- Chronic intestinal diseases (e.g. Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis)
- Ageing process and associated muscle weakness
- Side effects of medication or medical treatments
Uncategorisable incontinence
Uncategorisable incontinence refers to a form of urinary incontinence in which the symptoms cannot be clearly assigned to a specific category such as stress incontinence or urge incontinence. This type of incontinence presents a challenge as it often has an individual or complex combination of causes and symptoms.
The exact physical functioning of uncategorisable incontinence can vary and depends on the underlying causes. However, problems with bladder control, bladder capacity or sphincter function are often involved.
Combating incontinence and promoting continence
Bladder control can be improved through targeted measures such as pelvic floor exercises, drug therapies, physiotherapy treatments and lifestyle changes. It is important that the treatment methods are customised to the type of incontinence in order to achieve optimal results. A holistic approach involving medical, physiotherapeutic and psychosocial aspects is of great importance.