Urinary incontinence is a medical condition characterized by the unintentional loss of urine. It is a relatively common condition that can affect people of all ages, although it is more common in older adults. Urinary incontinence can range in severity from occasionally leaking urine when coughing or sneezing (stress incontinence) to a sudden and strong urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine (urge incontinence).
There are several types of urinary incontinence, including:
Stress incontinence: This occurs when there is increased pressure on the bladder, leading to urine leakage. It is commonly caused by activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or exercising.
Urge incontinence: This is also known as “overactive bladder” and is characterized by a sudden and intense urge to urinate, followed by involuntary urine loss. It can be caused by an overactive detrusor muscle in the bladder
Overflow incontinence: This occurs when the bladder does not empty completely, causing it to become overly full. The excess urine may then leak out involuntarily. It is often associated with conditions that obstruct urine flow, such as an enlarged prostate in men or urinary tract blockage
Functional incontinence: This type of incontinence is not due to a problem with the bladder or urinary system itself but is instead caused by physical or cognitive impairments that make it difficult for a person to reach the toilet in time.
Mixed incontinence: This is a combination of different types of urinary incontinence, such as stress and urge incontinence occurring together.Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition. It can include lifestyle modifications, pelvic floor exercises (Kegel exercises), bladder training techniques, medications, medical devices, and, in some cases, surgery. this requires proper history taking, assessment by specialist in urinary incontinence and review bladder diary
