Do elderly people with urinary incontinence have catheters?

Written by Zhou Yan

Geriatrics

Updated on June 07, 2025

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Elderly people with urinary incontinence do not need a catheter. Urinary incontinence refers to the uncontrolled flow of urine from the urethra, independent of conscious control. There are many causes of urinary incontinence, but none require catheterization for urine drainage. Catheterization is only necessary when urine cannot be expelled, such as in cases of chronic urinary retention caused by an enlarged prostate, where the bladder pressure exceeds the resistance of the urethral sphincter. Other types of urinary incontinence do not require the use of a catheter for urination; instead, treatment should be based on the specific cause of the incontinence.

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What are the methods for treating female urinary incontinence and incomplete bladder emptying?

There are several causes of urinary incontinence in women as well as types of urinary incontinence. The treatment method needs to be based on the specific type of urinary incontinence. For mild stress urinary incontinence, it can be improved through pelvic floor muscle exercises. For more severe cases of stress urinary incontinence, surgery may be required. If the incontinence is due to acute cystitis, it is necessary to use antibiotics in a timely manner for treatment. Once the inflammation is controlled, the symptoms will also alleviate. However, if the urinary incontinence is caused by damage to the nervous system, there are no effective treatment methods.

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Does spinal bifida cause urinary incontinence during the day?

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How to care for incontinence-associated dermatitis

The care for incontinence-associated dermatitis primarily involves keeping the affected skin clean and dry. It is important to avoid skin contact with urine as much as possible. If the skin does come into contact with urine, it should be washed promptly and kept clean and dry. If there is itching or discomfort at the site of the dermatitis, topical corticosteroid ointments may be used to alleviate the itching. Some patients might also develop infections, typically bacterial, which can be managed with antibiotics. For patients with recurrent dermatitis, considering bladder fistulation or other treatment methods might be necessary to prevent skin contact with urine.

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Symptoms of urinary incontinence

The primary clinical manifestation of urinary incontinence is the uncontrollable leakage of urine from the urethral opening. Depending on the specific cause of incontinence, the clinical manifestations can vary. For instance, stress urinary incontinence typically occurs during coughing, sneezing, laughing, or other activities that increase intra-abdominal pressure, leading to uncontrollable urine leakage. Urgency urinary incontinence is commonly seen in severe cases of bladder inflammation or stiffening of the bladder neck, where patients often previously experience significant symptoms such as frequent urination, urgent need to urinate, and pain during urination. Overflow incontinence is more common in elderly men, particularly those with prostate enlargement, leading to urinary retention and subsequent incontinence, often accompanied by lower abdominal pain.