Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Incontinence*
Urinary control relies on the finely coordinated activities of the muscle tissue of the urethra and bladder, voluntary inhibition, and the autonomic nervous system. Urinary incontinence can result from anatomic, physiological, or pathologic (disease) factors. Acute and temporary incontinence can occur with childbirth, limited mobility, medication side effects, and urinary tract infections.
Chronic incontinence is commonly caused by bladder muscle weakness, pelvic floor muscle weakness, birth defects, blocked urethra, brain or spinal cord injury nerve disorders and vaginal prolapse.
It can also result from certain surgical procedures on the prostate, bladder, urethra, vagina, or pelvic floor.
Urinary Incontinence in Men and Women
Of the several types of urinary incontinence, stress, urge, and mixed incontinence account for more than 90% of cases. Overflow incontinence is more common in people with disorders that affect the nerve supply originating in the upper portion of the spinal cord and older men with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH).
Click here to read an article about Urinary Incontinence, or watch the below video where our very own Dr. Brandy Hood discusses Treatments for Bladder Control.
*Information provided by the Urology Channel.
Types ofUrinary Incontinence
- Urge Incontinence – having that “have to go right now! Oops, too late.” feeling
- Stress Incontinence – leaks caused by coughing, sneezing, or jumping
- Overflow Incontinence – the bladder empties so poorly that it fills to the point of “overflowing” the sphincter. This results in obstruction such as prostate enlargement, urethral scarring, or injury to the bladder nerves.
- Total Incontinence – Constant leaking, usually without awareness. May result from sphincter damage or certain neurological conditions.
- Mixed Incontinence – some combination of the symptoms listed above