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Topic Overview - Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary release of urine. It is not a disease but a symptom of a problem with the urinary tract. Urinary incontinence is very common, especially among older adults. For most people, the main effect of urinary incontinence is social or hygienic problems.
Because urinary incontinence is a symptom of a problem with the urinary tract, it is important to determine the cause if the incontinence is to be successfully treated.
Classification
Urinary incontinence may occur for only a short time (acute), or it may be a continuing problem (chronic).
Acute incontinence is a temporary loss of urine control that ends when the problem causing it is successfully treated. Acute incontinence may be caused by a urinary tract infection, a drug side effect, constipation, or bladder stones.
Chronic incontinence is a long-term loss of urine control. It may be caused by muscle weakness in the urinary tract or by damage or a malfunction in the urinary tract or the nerves that control urination. Chronic incontinence can be classified as one of the following types based on its cause:
- Stress incontinence causes urine loss when you put pressure on your abdomen, such as may occur when you sneeze, laugh, or exercise.
- Urge incontinence is an urge to urinate that is so strong that you cannot reach the toilet in time.
- Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder neck or the tube leading from the bladder to the outside of the body is blocked, which allows urine to build up in the bladder. Eventually, the bladder becomes so full that the pressure forces urine past the obstruction.
- Reflex incontinence occurs when your bladder contracts and you are unable to stop it.
- Functional incontinence occurs when something makes it hard for you to reach or use a bathroom in time to urinate.
- Anatomical incontinence results when there are problems with the structure of the urinary tract that affect the urine flow. Anatomical incontinence may be present from birth (congenital).
Acute incontinence is treated by correcting the underlying problem. Depending on the cause, chronic incontinence may be treated with exercises, absorbent pads, medications, or surgery.
Source: Your Health Encyclopedia, 4-rd Edition, 2002
Last Revised at December 6, 2007 by Amalia K. Gagarina, M.S., R.D.
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