Urinary Incontinence

Urinary Incontinence is the loss of bladder control or the leaking of urine. It can be temporary or chronic. Incontinence is a symptom, not a condition in and of itself.

Causes

Temporary incontinence can be caused by:
  • Medications
  • Constipation
  • Infection
  • Muscle weakness
More permanent incontinence may be classified as one of four types. Some people have a mixture of these types. In some cases, incontinence may have several different causes. Sometimes the cause is unclear. Stress Incontinence
This results when movement puts pressure on the bladder. Leaking can be triggered by laughing, sneezing, lifting heavy objects, or exercise. This is the most common type of incontinence. It may be caused by:
  • Weakening of the muscles that hold the bladder
  • Weakening of muscles that control the flow of urine
Urge Incontinence
Loss of bladder control accompanied by a strong urge to urinate. The person is unable to hold urine long enough to make it to a toilet. This is also known as overactive bladder. It may be caused by:
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Nerve damage due to:
    • Spinal cord injury
    • Stroke
    • Multiple sclerosis
    • Parkinson's disease
Overflow Incontinence
This occurs when the bladder will not empty completely. This causes an overflow and leaking of urine. It may be caused by:
  • A bladder that is blocked
  • Weak bladder muscles
  • Nerve damage due to:
    • Surgery
    • Diabetes
    • Spinal cord injuries
    • Other factors
Functional Incontinence
Normal bladder control, but an inability to reach the toilet in time. It can be caused by any mental or physical condition that slows a person's movement.

Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
  • Sex: female
  • Age: older than 65
  • Childbirth
  • Menopause
  • Diabetes
  • Aging
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Dementia
  • Stroke
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Spinal cord injury or disease
  • Use of certain substances/medications:
    • Caffeine
    • Alcohol
    • Beta-blockers
    • Alpha-agonists
    • Cholinergic agents
    • Cyclophosphamide

Symptoms

Urinary Incontinence is a symptom of other conditions. Any loss of bladder control can be considered incontinence.

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. You will be asked how often you empty your bladder and patterns of urine leakage. A physical exam will look for any physical causes such as blockages or nerve problems. You will be asked to keep a diary of your bladder habits. You may also be referred to a urologist or a urogynecologist.
Tests may include:
  • Stress test – you relax, then cough as your doctor watches for loss of urine
  • Urine tests
  • Blood tests
  • Ultrasound – a test that uses sound waves to examine structures inside the body
  • Cystoscopy – a thin tube with a tiny camera inserted in the urethra to view the urethra and bladder
  • Urodynamic tests – measure the flow of urine and pressure in the bladder

Treatment

Treatment may include one or more of the following:
Behavioral therapy
Behavioral therapy includes:
  • Making muscles stronger by doing Kegel exercises. This strengthens the muscles that hold the bladder in place and those that control urine flow.Painless electrical stimulation is sometimes used to strengthen the muscles more quickly.
  • Bladder training. This can be done by setting a regular timed schedule for emptying your bladder and by drinking fewer liquids.
Medication
Medications may be prescribed to either strengthen muscles that control the flow of urine or to relax the bladder. These are most commonly used to treat urge incontinence.
Surgery
In men, surgery may be performed to relieve a physical blockage due to an enlarged prostate. In women, surgery can help repair weakened muscles related to bladder function. Other procedures involve collagen injections into the urethra, or surgical repair/implants into the bladder spinchter.
Devices
Plugs and patches that hold urine in place are available for women. Catheters are sometimes used to treat more severe cases.

Prevention

Incontinence is really a symptom of another condition. It cannot always be prevented. Women can decrease their chances of developing incontinence by doing Kegel exercises. This is especially helpful in women who have given birth, because childbirth weakens muscles around the bladder.