Incontinence is often a symptom of severe dementia in older people, an expert has explained.
According to Dr Pamela Tronetti, Alzheimer’s disease – one form of dementia – is a leading cause of death in the western world.
However, as the neurodegenerative condition develops, incontinence is often one of many symptoms that carers will need to deal with.
Writing in the newspaper Florida Today, she explained that incontinence usually occurs during the severe stage of the disease, when patients will struggle to recognise their families and speech may become difficult.
“They forget how to walk safely and have frequent falls. They become incontinent and lose control of bowels and bladder. They often refuse to eat. They can be hypersensitive to touch, and cry out when moved. They forget how to swallow safely and may choke,” to medical expert explained. Incontinence pads could help carers to look after people suffering from severe dementia.
Another cause of incontinence is prostate cancer surgery, which research suggests may be improved through behavioural therapy, according to a study published this month by a US team in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Incontinence is often a symptom of severe dementia in older people, an expert has explained.
According to Dr Pamela Tronetti, Alzheimer’s disease – one form of dementia – is a leading cause of death in the western world.
However, as the neurodegenerative condition develops, incontinence is often one of many symptoms that carers will need to deal with.
Writing in the newspaper Florida Today, she explained that incontinence usually occurs during the severe stage of the disease, when patients will struggle to recognise their families and speech may become difficult.
“They forget how to walk safely and have frequent falls. They become incontinent and lose control of bowels and bladder. They often refuse to eat. They can be hypersensitive to touch, and cry out when moved. They forget how to swallow safely and may choke,” to medical expert explained. Incontinence pads could help carers to look after people suffering from severe dementia.
Another cause of incontinence is prostate cancer surgery, which research suggests may be improved through behavioural therapy, according to a study published this month by a US team in the Journal of the American Medical Association.