Overactive Bladder and Incontinence Urine

Pelvis | Urology | Overactive Bladder and Incontinence Urine (Symptom)


Description

Urinary incontinence is related to the inability to hold urine in the bladder. This is due to the lack of voluntary control over the urinary sphincters resulting in involuntary passage of urine (incontinence). The term enuresis, is related as it involves involuntary urination, which may be caused by a variety of factors. These include disorders of the kidneys, bladder or ureter, and poor control of muscles that control release of urine.

Causes

Bladder incontinence has a number of causes. Women are most likely to develop incontinence during pregnancy and childbirth or after the hormonal changes of menopause because of weakened pelvic muscles.

Causes of UI may include: (1) Polyuria (excessive urine production- of which, in turn, the most frequent causes are: uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, primary polydipsia (excessive fluid drinking), central diabetes insipidus and nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Polyuria generally causes urinary urgency and frequency, but doesnt necessarily lead to incontinence; (2) Caffeine or cola beverages also stimulate the bladder; (3) Enlarged prostate is the most common cause of incontinence in men after the age of 40. Moreover drugs or radiation used to treat prostate cancer can also cause incontinence, (4) Disorders like multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, Parkinsons disease, strokes and spinal cord injury can all interfere with nerve function of the bladder.

There are many types of incontinence: Overflow Incontinence, Functional Incontinence, Overactive Bladder, Urge Incontinence, and Stress Incontinence.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Recommended tests are bladder stress test, urinalysis and urine culture, ultrasound, Cystoscopy, Urodynamics. Treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type of incontinence, the severity of your problem and the underlying cause.

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