Bladder incontinence

Pelvis | Urology | Bladder incontinence (Disease)


Description

Bladder incontinence is the unintentional loss of urine. It is also called urinary incontinence. It can be a common and distressing problem, which may have a profound impact on quality of life. The severity of urinary incontinence ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate thats so sudden and strong you dont get to a toilet in time.

Types of urinary incontinence include: Stress incontinence, Urge incontinence, Overflow incontinence, Mixed incontinence, Functional incontinence, Total incontinence.

Complications of chronic urinary incontinence include: skin problems, urinary tract infections, changes in your activities, changes in your work life and changes in your personal life.

Causes and Risk factors

Certain foods, drinks and medications can cause temporary urinary incontinence. Easily treatable medical conditions also may be responsible for urinary incontinence: urinary tract infection and constipation. Urinary incontinence can also be a persistent condition caused by underlying physical problems or changes, including: pregnancy and childbirth, changes with aging, hysterectomy, bladder cancer or bladder stones, neurological disorders. Risk factors are: age, being overweight, smoking.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type of incontinence, the severity of the problem and the underlying cause. A number of medications exist to treat incontinence including: fesoterodine, tolterodine and oxybutynin. ...