Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence means you lose bladder control or can’t store urine like you should.
This problem is not a normal part of aging. It often affects older persons because muscles and nerves used in bladder control don’t work as well with aging.
Signs, Symptoms & Causes
Overactive Bladder
With this condition, you have at least 2 of these problems:
- An urgency to pass urine
- Urge incontinence
- You pass urine 8 or more times a day and 2 or more times during night.
Acute Incontinence
This form comes on suddenly. Often, it is a symptom of a new illness or problem. Examples are a bladder infection, diabetes (new or out-of-control), and inflammation of the prostate, urethra, or vagina. It can also be a side effect of some medicines, such as water pills.
This form is often easily reversed when the problem that caused it is treated.
Persistent Incontinence
This form comes on gradually over time. There are many types of this form. The ones below are the most common types:
- Stress Incontinence. Urine leaks out when there is a sudden rise in pressure on the bladder from weak pelvic floor muscles. This can happen when you cough, sneeze, laugh, lift, exercise, or strain to pass stool. This type is more common in women than in men.
- Mixed Incontinence. This type is a mix of stress and urge incontinence. Many women have both types of incontinence.
- Overflow Incontinence. This is the constant dribbling of urine because the bladder overfills. This may be due to an enlarged prostate, diabetes, or multiple sclerosis.
- Urge Incontinence. The urge to pass urine is strong and comes on so fast, that the urine is released before you can get to the toilet. Some people are able to get to the toilet in time but feel the urge to urinate more than eight times a day. Often, they don’t urinate much when they get there. It can happen during sleep or when you hear or touch running water. The most common cause is an overactive bladder. Other causes include an enlarged prostate gland, spinal injury, or Parkinson’s disease.
- Functional Incontinence. With this type, you have trouble getting to the bathroom fast enough, even though you have bladder control. This can happen in a person who is physically challenged.