Urinary Incontinence

Introduction     

     Incontinence is the inability to control the passage of urine. This can range from an occasional leakage of urine, to a complete inability to hold any urine.

     The two main types of urinary incontinence are:

• Stress incontinence -- occurs during certain activities like coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercise.

• Urge incontinence -- involves a strong, sudden need to urinate followed by instant bladder contraction and involuntary loss of urine. You don't have enough time between when you recognize the need to urinate and when you actually do urinate.

Common Causes 

     Incontinence may be sudden and temporary, or ongoing and long-term. Causes of sudden or temporary incontinence include:

• Urinary tract infection or inflammation

• Prostate infection or inflammation

• Stool impaction from severe constipation, causing pressure on the bladder

• Side effects of medications (such as diuretics, tranquilizers, some cough and cold remedies, certain antihistamines for allergies, and antidepressants)

• Increased urine amounts, like with poorly controlled diabetes

• Pregnancy

• Weight gain

• Excess caffeine and alcohol intake

• Mental confusion
   

     Causes that may be more long-term:

• Spinal injuries

• Urinary tract anatomical abnormalities

• Neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis or stroke

• Weakness of the sphincter, the circular muscles of the bladder responsible for opening and closing it; this can happen following prostate surgery in men, or vaginal surgery in women

• Pelvic prolapse in women -- falling or sliding of the bladder, urethra, or rectum into the vaginal space, often related to having had multiple pregnancies and deliveries

• Large prostate in men

• Depression or Alzheimer's disease

• Nerve or muscle damage after pelvic radiation

• Bladder cancer

• Bladder spasms