Urinary incontinence occurs when there is loss of voluntary control of bladder function. This can be a partial loss of function or may represent complete loss of urinary control. The muscles of the bladder and abdomen help dispel urine from the bladder, while the muscles that form the pelvic floor and the neck of the bladder control the opening through which urine leaves the bladder. Damage to any of these structures, or to the nerves leading to them, can lead to varying degrees of urinary incontinence. This disorder is more common with women, particularly with advancing age. There are four main categories of urinary incontinence. They include stress incontinence, urge incontinence, overflow incontinence and total incontinence.
Causes of Urinary Incontinence
Stress incontinence is commonly found when muscles of the pelvic floor do not support the bladder. The bladder neck drops and the muscles keeping the bladder closed do not work. Urge incontinence is commonly due to irritation of the bladder. This most common cause of irritation is infection. Urge incontinence may also be due to bladder spasticity caused by spinal injury or multiple sclerosis. Overflow incontinence may be due to urinary tract obstruction that damages the bladder. Also, diabetes, pelvic surgery and spinal injury can produce this condition. Total incontinence commonly occurs from dementia, head injury, spinal cord injury or pelvic surgery.
Signs and Symptoms of Urinary Incontinence
Stress incontinence occurs almost exclusively in women. A small amount of urine leaks out during physically stressful activities. In urge incontinence, there are sudden, repeated episodes of urinary incontinence. They are caused by the urgent need to empty the bladder. Overflow incontinence is caused when the bladder is distended or contracts poorly or not at all. Large volumes of urine accumulate, eventually producing enough pressure for some urine to repeatedly drain out. Total incontinence is seen with paralysis secondary to spinal cord disease.
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Medical Content Last Updated on 07/12/2008
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