Functional is a condition that affects many people, and while it mostly affects the elderly, it can affect people of any age. Unlike other forms of incontinence, functional incontinence isn’t caused by physiological issues with control of the bladder or your urinary system. Functional incontinence occurs when a person has physical or mental limitations that make it challenging to reach the toilet in time. This can cause urine leaks and make controlling bowel urgency difficult, leading to a loss of bladder and bowel control.
It can also lead to feelings of embarrassment and frustration, but it's important to remember that you are not alone. With the right support, tools, and understanding, managing functional incontinence can be achieved with dignity and ease.
In this article, we’ll explore the causes, symptoms, and practical solutions to help you, or your loved ones, maintain comfort and confidence in everyday life.
Functional incontinence causes
This type of incontinence occurs as a result of something else happening in your body or mind – be it musculoskeletal issues or injury, neurological issues, or issues that affect our ability to think and communicate as we usually would, such as mental health or memory issues.
These issues can result in either noticing the need to use the toilet too late, being unable to reach the toilet quickly, being unable to remove clothes with ease, or even ignoring one’s own need for the toilet.
Past studies have shown that musculoskeletal disorders can affect , but a lack of bladder control can also occur because of an undiagnosed issue, such as back pain.
Functional incontinence can also be affected by neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis. Further complicating this issue, public toilet facilities are not always easy to get to, or may not be set up for people with disabilities or a health condition.
Meanwhile, reduced vision can make it difficult for some to find the toilet, Reduced mobility can also result in functional incontinence with those affected potentially have to use walking aids, resulting in a longer trip to the toilet. Being unable to take their clothes off quickly enough before urinating can also present a challenge.
Functional incontinence isn’t just caused by physical problems, however – it can result from problems with thinking or communicating. For example, a person with Alzheimer’s disease, mental confusion or dementia may not recognise the urge to urinate, or may find it difficult to locate their own bathroom. Or someone suffering from severe depression, anxiety, or another form of mental illness may lose the desire to care for themselves, and lose all motivation to go to the toilet.
How to treat functional incontinence
When it comes to functional incontinence treatment, it is often a case of treating the medical conditions that cause or contribute to the problem. For example, the right treatment for arthritis may help the problem of getting to the bathroom too slowly.
Treating functional also requires assessing one’s surroundings to ensure that they are accessible. This can be done in a number of simple ways, such as:
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Ensuring your bathroom at home is easily accessible and that the route is clear, without any objects in the way
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Implementing adequate lighting both on the route to the toilet as well as inside it, including switches that are easily located, and clearly label the door with a different colour
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When out of the house, making an effort to know where the closest toilets are, to avoid wasting time asking for directions
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Wearing easily removable clothing – for example, if arthritis in your hands makes trouser zippers difficult, wear trousers with elastic waists
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If you struggle transferring from a wheelchair to a toilet, bringing someone with you who can help
Kegel exercises and bladder training can also help manage general incontinence as well as functional urinary incontinence and help you prevent urine leaks by rebuilding control of your pelvic floor.
We understand that it can sometimes feel like living with incontinence isdaunting, but TENA products can help you to manage it effectively and keep living with comfort and confidence. Have a look on the following pages to find out more about incontinence, and pick the product that is best suited to you:
More about incontinence on TENA Women
More about incontinence on TENA Men