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Website: stroke.org.uk
About half of people admitted to hospital Your stroke may have damaged the part of
with a stroke will have lost control of their the brain that controls your bladder and/
bladder, and a third will experience loss of or the bowel. As with other after-effects, it
bowel control. This is called incontinence. may take time to recover.
It is quite normal for incontinence to be
a source of concern after a stroke. For If you have difficulty walking or moving
many people loss of toilet control is a very around (or you need help getting to the
sensitive and personal issue and some toilet) you may not always be able to get
people may feel like they have lost their there in time. The same may be true if you
dignity. have communication difficulties and cannot
make yourself understood in time. Any extra
However, there is a lot that can be done to exertion involved in moving may itself make
help, and just 15 per cent of stroke survivors it more difficult to maintain control.
will continue to have continence problems a
year after their stroke. It is generally easier Being less mobile than usual can make
to regain bowel control than bladder control. you more prone to constipation (difficulty
Regaining control can improve both your emptying your bowels), which in turn may
morale and overall recovery. cause continence problems. You may not be
able to eat or drink as much as usual because
Why do continence problems of the stroke and may be undernourished
develop? or dehydrated. This may also lead to
constipation.
There are different reasons why you may
develop continence problems after a stroke. Some medicines, including ones commonly
For example, as with any serious illness or prescribed after a stroke, may affect bladder
accident, if you are not fully conscious or or bowel control. For instance medicines
aware of your surroundings, you may wet or called diuretics, which may be taken to help
soil yourself without realising it. lower your blood pressure, may initially
affect bladder control.
You may already have had mild continence brain that senses and controls bladder
problems before your stroke, which are likely movement
to be made worse by any lengthy period in
bed. Urine retention (being unable to empty •• Overflow incontinence – where the
your bladder completely) may cause your bladder leaks due to being too full. This
bladder to swell painfully. It is also more can be due to a loss of feeling in your
likely that you will suffer bladder infections bladder, or difficulty in emptying your
during any period of inactivity, and these can bladder effectively (urine retention)
cause temporary incontinence.
Bowel problems
Which continence problems can
occur after stroke? •• Faecal incontinence – or uncontrolled
bowel movement. This can be caused
There are many different types of by damage to the part of the brain
continence problems that can occur controlling the bowel, not being able to
(sometimes in combination) as a result of get to the toilet in time, diarrhoea or
stroke. These include: constipation.
•• Frequency – needing to pass urine more •• Constipation with overflow – large stools
often can get stuck and block the bowel. Liquid
stools above the blockage can flow
•• Urgency – feeling a sudden, urgent and around it causing watery stools to leak.
uncontrollable need to pass urine. This
is due to bladder spasm or contractions. •• Faecal impaction – dry and hardened
Often there is no time to get to the toilet, stools collect in the rectum, they can
so you may have an accident press on your bladder and make any
problems you have with emptying your
•• Nocturnal incontinence – wetting the bed bladder worse.
while asleep
Initial care after stroke
•• Functional incontinence – caused when
the physical effects of a stroke impede Until you are well enough to start actively
mobility or make it difficult to unfasten regaining control of your bladder or bowel,
clothes in time to use the toilet you may need to wear incontinence pads.
These should be changed rapidly by the
•• Stress incontinence – small amounts of nursing staff if they become soiled.
urinary leakage on coughing, sneezing or
laughing. This usually happens because If you have good bladder and bowel function
the muscles in the pelvic floor or urethral but are unable to indicate when you need
sphincter are weak or damaged. the toilet, the nurses may offer you the
toilet or commode every two hours or so.
•• Reflex incontinence – passing urine While you are in bed, you may be transferred
without realising it. This happens when to the commode using a hoist, or offered a
a stroke has affected the part of the bottle or sheath urinal (designed for men) or
a bedpan (for women). If your bladder is •• further tests ranging from a simple
not emptying completely, then a catheter physical examination to bladder
may be used to empty it. This involves ultrasound scan, abdominal x-ray or
gently inserting a fine tube to drain urine specialist investigations to determine
from the bladder into a bag. This may need exactly how your bladder and bowel are
to be done several times a day (intermittent working.
catheterisation) to keep you comfortable
and reduce the risk of developing a urinary What are the treatments for
tract infection (UTI). bladder incontinence?
•• a simple chart recording your fluid intake •• Weight loss (if you are overweight) will
and output (by volume and frequency) often improve bladder control in the
over at least two days longer term.
What are the treatments for of continence products through the NHS
bowel incontinence? Continence Service, you should also receive
a regular review of your needs in this respect
Treatment for bowel (faecal) incontinence (at least once a year). Eligibility varies
may include: throughout the UK. In Scotland, most Health
Boards allocate supplies free of charge, but
•• Bowel training through regular visits will limit the type of products that can be
to the toilet (usually after meals, when provided within their area.
the bowels are stimulated to move by
a natural reflex). You also learn to delay Continence advisers are specialist nurses
bowel movements once on the toilet to who are trained to help with incontinence.
improve your ability to ‘hold on’. They can develop a plan that is tailored to
your individual circumstances. Your local
•• Medication to help reduce movement in health centre, or the Bladder and Bowel
the bowel or make the sphincter muscle Foundation (see Useful organisations) can
tighter to avoid ‘leakage’. provide details of your nearest continence
clinic. Your GP can also advise you, though
•• Treatment for constipation using you do not need a GP referral for this service.
laxatives.
If you need further help, you may need to see
•• A bowel regimen which uses medicine a specialist consultant, such as a urologist,
to make you constipated followed by an gastroenterologist, gynaecologist or
enema (putting liquid into your anus) to geriatrician. A doctor’s referral will be
clear the bowel in a controlled way. needed for this.
Speech and language therapists can assess your local social services. Otherwise they
the right texture of food for you if you are are available from specialist suppliers or to
having difficulty swallowing safely. order from retailers such as Boots.
Dietitians can recommend a suitable well Practical measures like planning access
balanced diet and fluid intake, as well as to toilets, when you are out, and having
any dietary changes that may help with a change of clothing and hygiene kit with
continence problems. you (which might include plastic bags for
disposal or laundry, soap and flannel, anti-
Social workers can help with financial issues, bacterial wet wipes and latex gloves) will
such as obtaining benefits, and securing help you manage in any situation.
any grant you may be entitled to if you
need to adapt your bathroom or build one The National Key Scheme (NKS), or Royal
downstairs. In some circumstances social Association for Disability Rights (RADAR)
services may help with bedding but this Scheme, provides keys to public disabled
varies depending on where you live. toilets designed for wheelchair access.
The scheme is available to people with
Living with ongoing disabilities or health conditions seriously
incontinence affecting their continence. If you are eligible
your council may provide a key free of
While it does involve extra thought and charge. See ‘Useful organisations’ section.
effort, with good advice and preparation,
incontinence can be managed discreetly as A daily routine of regular visits to the toilet,
part of daily living. and reducing the amount you drink before
bed time, will help to avoid accidents. An
There are various continence products alarm can be used to schedule a visit to the
available. These include high-absorbency toilet during the night, or you may prefer
pads and pull ups, with a built-in to try a moisture alarm on your bed, which
‘hydrophobic’ layer for skin protection. Your will sound when wetness is detected. This
GP or continence adviser will be able to tell is designed to wake you up so that you can
you what is provided free of charge through finish emptying your bladder in the toilet.
your local NHS.
You may wish to wear a silent vibrating
Absorbent, washable seat pads can be used alarm watch, which can be set to give a
to protect your furniture and are made in discreet reminder at regular intervals. A
a range of colours. Mattress protectors silent alarm also has advantages at night
and absorbent bed pads with tuck-in flaps time, if you wish to avoid disturbing others.
(known as draw sheets) will reduce how
often you need to change your bedding. Specialised products such as catheters,
anal plugs, urine drainage bags and
A commode is like a chair with a removable appliances for men can be obtained on
potty under the seat, and can be useful to prescription from your GP. In Scotland pads
have in the bedroom, especially at night. You are also available on prescription. Normal
may be able to obtain a commode through prescription charges and exemptions apply.
Washable or disposable waterproof bed and •• Cut down on drinks which contain
seat covers are generally not provided by the caffeine such as tea, coffee and cola, and
NHS. alcoholic drinks, as they can irritate the
bladder.
Products can also be purchased from some
pharmacies and by mail order or online. If •• F
ollow a balanced diet with plenty of fruits
you buy products from a chemist or by mail and vegetables. They contain valuable
order, they can give you a form to sign so fibre, which helps bowel movements.
you do not pay VAT. The moisture, friction •• Keep as active as you can. This will help
and bacteria associated with incontinence stimulate the bowel to move regularly.
can cause skin rashes and infection.
Careful hygiene and skin care around the •• T
ry to use the toilet as soon as you need
affected area are needed to avoid the risk of to, and empty your bladder fully. This can
dermatitis (inflammation of the skin). also help to avoid infections.
If your skin is badly affected, an ‘indwelling’ •• Wear clothes that are easier to unfasten,
catheter, in which the bag is attached to for example with Velcro or elasticated
the leg and worn under clothing, may be waistbands instead of buttons or fiddly
recommended, though this is generally fasteners.
used as a last resort. In some cases a
supra-pubic catheter, where the catheter •• Take care of your skin by using mild soap
is inserted into the bladder through the or specialised products and take care to
abdomen wall, may prove a more convenient cleanse and dry thoroughly.
method of permanent drainage. Your
continence adviser should be able to advise •• Dispose of incontinence materials safely.
you in detail about these procedures. Ensure that disposal bags are secure and
leak-proof and use a bin with a lid.
Helping yourself
If you are caring for someone
•• Adopt a routine (as outlined above) to
help avoid accidents. You may feel ‘out of your depth’ when
faced with incontinence, even if you are
•• R
emember to follow all the tips and emotionally and physically strong. You and
exercises your physiotherapist has given your loved one may well find it difficult to
you – it takes time for the effects to show preserve their comfort and dignity while
(and to be maintained). following a toileting routine, giving and
receiving intimate care or dealing with soiled
•• Drink plenty of fluids during the day clothes and bed linen.
– especially water. This will help to
avoid infections of the bladder and also You may find it useful to speak to a
constipation. Try to have 6-8 glasses of fluid specialist continence adviser or one of
each day, and more if you have a catheter. the organisations listed on page 7. They will
be able to talk through your questions and
concerns, help you to consider all of the
Stroke Association is registered as a charity in England and Wales (No 211015) and in Scotland (SC037789).
Also registered in Northern Ireland (XT33805), Isle of Man (No 945) and Jersey (NPO 369).