title: PILL series. Managing urinary incontinence in the community.
abstract: Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine. There are many types of incontinence and different management options available, ranging from lifestyle modifications, medication to surgical intervention. Untreated urinary incontinence can result in a myriad of problems, including skin irritations, infections, social phobia, major depression and premature institutionalisation of elderly family members. Common barriers to optimal management include the socially embarrassing nature of the condition, which impedes open discussion, as well as the misperceptions that management must be invasive and the condition cannot be adequately managed within the community. We discuss the common types of incontinence encountered in the community and their management in the primary care setting.
authors.affiliation: SingHealth Polyclinics - Sengkang, 2 Sengkang Square, Sengkang Community Hub, Singapore 545025. how.choon.how@singhealth.com.sg
authors.forename: Choon How
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: How
authors.forename: Hui Min Joanne
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Quah
mesh_terms: D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D011320:Primary Health Care; D016482:Urinalysis; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists