Jakarta, IO – “Aging” or “getting older” refers to the gradual loss of the body’s ability to repair its tissues and to maintain normal functioning. However, the aging process is actually a natural process that started from birth, one that all living creatures undergo, without exception. According to a 2022 Statistics Indonesia study, the percentage of the geriatric population or elders in Indonesia is 10.48%. From this number, 24.6% are estimated to suffer from a history of chronic illness, and 15%-20% from urinary incontinence.
Aging is generally followed by changes in the body’s anatomical and functional conditions, including a lowered capacity and/or lowered ability to contract the bladder, a weakening of the urethral valve, the increase of prostate enlargement among men, increased urine production at night, and the reduction of nerve functionality and overall immunity of the body. Urinary incontinence may also be caused by degenerative illnesses such as diabetes or stroke. Clinical data shows that the incidence of urinary incontinence is higher among women than men.
“Urinary incontinence is a condition wherein urine is produced involuntarily. What we need to understand is that its occurrence among elders is not a normal condition. On the other hand, aging is not a cause of urinary incontinence, but merely a predisposition factor. Based on comparative diagnosis, the clinical manifestation of the condition is differentiated as ‘acute’ or ‘persistent’, a lower urinary tract symptom (LUTS), or bladder problems. An acute comparative diagnosis is reversible. It may be caused by delirium, infection, atrophic vaginitis; pharmaceutical, psychological, or endocrinal conditions; excess urine, restricted mobility or stool impaction. Persistence is caused by urinary pressure, a push, a spill, or a mixture of them,” explained dr. Kindy Aulia,Sp.U, urologist from Siloam Hospitals ASRI, in the “Parenty Softness of Love” media briefing held on Thursday (26/10/2023).
Yogurt and Kemangi (Lemon Basil Leaves)
To put it bluntly, urinary incontinence is where an individual loses control of their bladder, causing them to urinate or excrete automatically, without concern for time or place. The prevalence of this condition increases as we age. Even though it is not life-threatening, urinary incontinence affects a person’s quality of life, as it disrupts daily activity, including social interactions, interpersonal and sexual relations, and psychological health.
Urinary incontinence must be treated comprehensively, as it affects the social, emotional, physical activity, and health of elders. Therefore, the support and understanding of family members and other close ones in daily living is essential for elders. “The family’s role is to encourage the geriatric person to change their lifestyle: lower their weight, stop smoking, and perform physical activity and/or exercise regularly for a minimum of 150 minutes a week.
Read: Avoid The Burden of Dengue in Indonesia with Vaccine
The family can also help a patient undergo behavioral therapies such as Kegel exercises, bladder training, prompted voiding, habit training, and/or scheduled toileting,” dr. Kindy said.
During the same event, dr. Abidinsyah Siregar, DHSM, MBA, MKes, founder and initiator of the Go Lansia movement, reminded elders that they can join communities to get help maintaining an active and productive lifestyle: “Everyone needs to maintain a healthy, happy lifestyle from a young age. Efforts that can be made to mitigate incontinence include performing restraining exercises and consuming yogurt and kemangi or lemon basil leaves. If necessary, use adult diapers. They help elders sustain their level of activity by maintaining cleanliness, preventing infections, and reducing worries by removing the repeated need to go to the toilet. They also help prevent the formation of rashes or scabs,” he said. (est)