Incontinence

Loss of bladder or bowel control is common after stroke, with 26% of patients requiring a catheter within one week of admission. This urinary or faecal incontinence is often caused by weakness, cognitive or perceptual impairments. Problems can include increased frequency of needing to go to the toilet, nocturnal incontinence with needing to go to the toilet several times during the night, functional incontinence, with trouble getting to the toilet due to physical or communication difficulties, urge incontinence where there is a sudden and uncontrollable need to pass urine, and urinary retention, where the bladder cannot be fully emptied and holds an increasing amount of urine.

For current research and evidence-based recommendations see our Clinical Guidelines.