3 Key Takeaways:
- Aging may cause more frequent urination, but occasional accidents are not normal.
- Worrying about where the nearest bathroom is before leaving the house and having to plan life around a bathroom may indicate a significant issue.
- Unusual bowel habits and fear of not making it to the restroom in time may require evaluation from a urologist.
In the labyrinth of human anatomy, the mystery of bladder and bowel control is commonly misunderstood territory. As you age, you may find yourself questioning what’s normal and what’s not. You may wonder, “Is my urinary frequency normal? Am I experiencing symptoms of incontinence?” Fear not, for expert insights from Dr. Nicholas Laryngakis, a board-certified urologist, are here to demystify these queries.
Understanding Normal Bladder and Bowel Function
Dr. Laryngakis, with 10 years of practice and extensive training in urology under his belt, brings clarity to the topic of urinary and bowel control. “Aging does affect urination,” he admits. “You’ll pee more frequently.” This statement dismantles the myth of abnormality around a common age-related urinary trend. Yet with a gentle warning, he adds, “An occasional accident can happen, but it’s not completely normal.”
How to Identify Symptoms of Incontinence
Indeed, while fluctuations in bladder habits can be an accepted part of growing older, they can also signal an underlying problem. These problems can result in incontinence, negatively impacting the quality of life.
According to Dr. Laryngakis, “Patients who are planning their life around a bathroom and thinking about where the nearest bathroom is before they leave…that is starting to tell you that there could be a significant issue.” Life shouldn’t be a maze of questions like “Where’s that bathroom?” or “Do I need to wear a pad when I’m outside the house?” If these concerns sound familiar to you, it may be high time to consult a urologist.
Decoding Unusual Bowel Habits
What about bowel habits? They also demand keen observation. You may think it’s normal to constantly fear not making it to the restroom in time or having accidents, but Dr. Laryngakis begs to differ. These are serious symptoms that indicate a necessity for evaluation.
The Light at the End of the Tunnel: St Pete Urology
Understanding your body and decoding unusual urinary and bowel symptoms is not a battle you have to fight alone. St Pete Urology, based in St. Petersburg, FL, are experts in diagnosing and treating bladder and bowel control issues. With a team of skilled urologists like Dr. Laryngakis, they will guide you through the process with compassion and understanding.
St Pete Urology believes in empowering their patients with knowledge and care to achieve a better quality of life. So, if you’re grappling with fear, embarrassment, or discomfort over bladder and bowel control issues, don’t hesitate. Reach out to the experts at St Pete Urology, and start your journey towards a healthier and happier life.
References:
- “Fecal incontinence – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic.” 3 Nov. 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20351397.
- “Good Bladder Habits for Everyone.” 30 Jul. 2021, https://www.continence.org.au/information-incontinence-english/good-bladder-habits-for-everyone.
- “15 Tips To Keep Your Bladder Healthy | National Institute on Aging.” 24 Jan. 2022, https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/bladder-health-and-incontinence/15-tips-keep-your-bladder-healthy.
Transcription:
Dr. Nicholas Laryngakis (Board Certified Urologist):
Tonight we’re going to talk about bowel and bladder control primarily. So Dr. Graves and I both actually trained together at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and we’ve been each practicing for close to 10 years and we’ve had five years of urology training in residency and med school before that.
And the topic tonight is something that we do have a lot of focus in and enjoy taking care of and have specialty in. So what’s normal and what isn’t in regards to urinary and bowel control? So it’s, you know, aging does affect urination. It is true. You’ll pee more frequently. An occasional accident can happen, but it’s not completely normal. And there could be underlying causes that could lead to loss of control.
So patients who are planning their life around a bathroom and thinking about where the nearest bathroom is before they leave, they leave, you know, the where they’re going, which restaurant am I going to? Where’s that bathroom? How long is my car ride? Where can I stop? Where is that gas station? Do I need to wear a pad when I’m outside the house? What can I drink? That is starting to tell you that there could be a significant issue because it is affecting the quality of your life.
Obviously, if you’re drinking a lot of fluid and you have to go a little more frequently, that’s normal. But if you’re losing control or have the constant fear that you’re not going to make it in time or actually having accidents, that’s something that should be evaluated and can be fixed.
