Tabooing of incontinence

Against the tabooing of urinary or fecal incontinence

06/19/2013

Urinary and fecal incontinence are still among the taboo subjects of our society. Those affected feel stigmatized and often withdraw from their social environment. As part of the „World incontinence week“, which takes place in the last week of June in Vienna, the Medical Continence Society of Austria (MKÖ) draws attention to the problem and wants to encourage those affected for treatment. Because the chances of recovery are good.

Urinary incontinence often occurs after pregnancy
„About 15 percent of all women are affected by the 'involuntary urine output'“, reports Professor Engelbert Hanzal, Head of the Urogynaecological Outpatient Department at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the MedUni Vienna at the General Hospital (AKH). Often urinary incontinence is a consequence of pregnancy, in which the pelvic floor is exposed to strong pressure over a long period of time. In addition, overweight and frequent heavy lifting work unfavorably. Although men suffered significantly less often from the bladder weakness, but the disease in the „strong sex“ Often underestimated, reports the urologist Wilhelm Hübner of the Regional Hospital Weinviertel / Korneuburg. Men would suffer much more from the reduction in quality of life and its consequences. „However, while incontinence in women is associated with the positive factor of birth, bladder weakness after prostate surgery causes negative notions such as cancer and impotence“, so Hübner. „In contrast to the woman's situation, there are still no diagnostic guidelines for the male disease. Nevertheless, all types of incontinence today have good and specialized treatment options. We are fortunate enough to be able to offer multiple therapy options for individual patients in many cases today.“

Intestinal incontinence severely impairs quality of life
An even greater impairment of quality of life represents the intestinal incontinence for many sufferers, which also occurs more frequently in women than in men (in a ratio of 9 to 1). „The most common cause is damage to the anal sphincter, usually the result of birth or nerve damage or neurological diseases“, explains Professor Max Wunderlich. Many of those affected remain silent for years until they confide in their family doctor and consult a specialist. The chances of recovery are not bad. About two thirds of cases of fecal incontinence can be cured without surgery. In urinary incontinence, half of the disorders in women can be eliminated by pelvic floor training alone. In addition, surgical procedures are available.
.
As part of the „World incontinence week“ Numerous events take place against the tabooing of incontinence. In addition, the experts want to encourage those affected to seek medical help. „There are information events with expert presentations and the offer of personal counseling sessions. Concerned ones can get expertise and help by MKÖ-Beratungstelefon or arrange a consultation appointment as well as order an info-package, which is laced according to individual needs and sent free of charge“, reports Wunderlich. (Ag)

Picture: Rainer Sturm