Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the loss of bladder control and the unintentional passing of urine. It's a common problem thought to affect millions of people. Such a problem usually happens to people when they age. That said, if incontinence affects your daily life and activities, you should consult a healthcare practitioner to be considered for a medicine for incontinence.

Types of urinary incontinence and their causes

• Stress incontinence

In this, urine leaks when the bladder is under pressure. Such a thing may happen while coughing or laughing. This happens due to weakened or damaged muscles - such as the pelvic floor muscles or the urethral sphincter.

• Urge (urgency) incontinence

In this, urine leaks when experiencing a sudden, intense urge to pee, or shortly afterward. This typically results from overactivity of the detrusor muscles that control the bladder.

• Overflow incontinence

The inability to fully empty the bladder leads to frequent leaking, which is a chronic urinary retention problem. It happens due to an obstruction or blockage in the bladder.

• Total incontinence

This is when the bladder cannot store any urine, thus leading to constant or frequent leaking. Such a thing is caused by congenital issues, spinal injuries, or a fistula.

A few other things that can increase the chances of urinary incontinence include -

• Pregnancy and vaginal birth

• A family history of incontinence

• Obesity

Short-term causes of incontinence

• Infection inside your urinary tract, such as kidney, bladder, urethra, and the ureters, can cause pain, and increase the urge to pee more.

• Although you may be offered a medicine for incontinence for treating incontinence, incontinence can at times be a side effect of certain medications, such as diuretics and antidepressants.

• Certain drinks like alcohol and coffee can increase people’s urge to urinate more often. Once you stop drinking these as much, the symptoms for incontinence also slowly subside.

• Chronic constipation can also at times lead to bladder control issues, which in turn leads to incontinence.