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Helping Children Gain Control
Incontinence is usually thought of
as a condition strictly limited to the elderly, or at
the very least those who are “older.” We rarely think of
children having to deal with incontinence. But, in some
cases of Spina Bifida, Traumatic Brain Injury and
Neuromuscular Diseases, incontinence is part of daily
life, part of growing up.
According to the Association for Spina Bifida and
Hydrocephalus, children with these diseases can learn to
control their bladder and bowel by working out a routine
of evacuation.
Today’s medical technology has provided children as well
as adults with assistance in bladder evacuation. These
include the use of a Clean Intermittent Catheterization
(CIC), which is a tube the child can use every three to
four hours. An Indwelling Catheter continuously in the
bladder and the urine simply drains into a bag.
Today there are also medicines and a variety of surgical
procedures available to assist children in maintaining
bladder continence. Surprisingly, the Kegel's exercises
which women have been instructed to practice for urinary
incontinence has also been shown to be effective in
assisting young girls as well. Speak to your continence
advisor about these exercises. To develop more control
over bowel incontinence, a doctor can prescribe enemas.
Speak with your doctor about how to provide the most
effective enemas, and preventing or at least limiting
unplanned evacuations. Medicines are also available as
are surgical procedures.
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