Midlands Urology Center

Incontinence

Urinary incontinence refers to the unintentional release of urine when an individual coughs, sneezes, laughs, or when engaging in physical activities. The sudden need to urinate can also occur, and in some instances, the person cannot get to a restroom in time. Persistent urinary incontinence can present in two forms, stress incontinence and urge incontinence.

While it is not typically an indication of a serious illness, it can disrupt an individual’s everyday routine and cause them to feel less confident when participating in social activities. While anyone can suffer from incontinence although, it is more common in elderly patients .

There are two forms of incontinence:

1. Stress incontinence is the most common form. It occurs when a person laughs, sneezes, coughs or does another activity which puts pressure on the person’s bladder.

2. Urge Incontinence applies to when an individual feels a strong urge to urinate even when the bladder contains a small amount of urine. Overactive bladder is a form of urge incontinence.

Bladder control concerns stem from a weakening in the muscles of the lower urinary tract or from trauma to the urinary tract or nerves which allow urination. Urge incontinence is the result of an overactive bladder muscle that pushes urine out more often than normal and can be related to stroke, stress, Parkinson’s disease, or aggravation of the bladder. Stress incontinence can also be the result of childbirth, weight gain, or other conditions that stretch the pelvic floor muscles.