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Incontinence: Why does it Happen?

You would not want it to happen, and when it does you feel embarrassed. Incontinence is the loss of urinary control and it involves the smooth muscle tissue of the urethra and bladder and also the skeletal muscle and nervous system. There are many reasons why it occurs ranging from physical aspects to disease causes as well as congenital disorders such as ALS, multiple sclerosis or spina bifida. Women are more likely to suffer from urinary incontinence than men are.

Incontinence can also occur due to a one-time event or it can be temporary in nature. Some of these reasons for incontinence can be:

A side effect of a medication

Giving Birth

Having a period of very limited mobility

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Long-term incontinence can also be the case and it has several reasons for happening:

A disorder that has been since birth

Bladder muscle that is weakened

Blocked urethra, which can occur due to having benign prostate hyperplasia or a tumor

Nerve disorders

Pelvic floor muscles are weakened

Spinal cord or brain injury

Vaginal prolapse

There are four types of urinary incontinence:

> Mixed

> Overflow

> Stress

> Urge

Stress urinary incontinence occurs when the urine loss happens when the person is being physically active and the activity puts pressure on the abdominal area like when the person coughs, laughs or sneezes.

Overslow urinary incontinence occurs when the bladder hasn't completely emptied and the urine constantly dribbles out.

Urge urinary incontinence occurs when you have an urgent need to pass urine and can't hold it any longer and also when you have involuntary bladder contractions, which are called "detrusor instability".

Mixed urinary incontinence is a combination of the stress and urge types.

How do you know when you "officially" are considered to be incontinent?

The best way is to obtain a diagnosis from a medical professional. At your appointment you will be asked about your complete medical background. You will also be asked to keep a "voiding (urinating) diary and incontinence questionnaire will be required as that information will aid in making the diagnosis. It will be important to detail when and how much urine leakage you are experiencing and what if any activity you are doing just before and during the leakage episode. You will also be asked questions concerning your bowel movements, if female you will be asked how many pregnancies you have had. You will also be asked about any illnesses and any medications that you are taking or have recently taken. If you are elderly, you will be asked questions to determine your mental clarity, social and environmental factors will also be considered during your evaluation.

You will then have a physical examination (abdomen, rectum, genitals, and pelvis), which will include a neurological evaluation. They will also conduct a "cough stress test" where you will be asked to cough while your medical professional observes your urethra for any loss of urine. The physical exam will give helpful clues that will lead to a diagnosis for you. A laboratory urine test will be ordered also to aid in making the diagnosis. A diagnosis will help you to understand and cope better and know why it has happened.