Incontinence
Urinary incontinence is a condition in which you experience involuntary loss of urine. Over 15 million Americans suffer from this disease. The leading culprits of urinary incontinence include neurologic disease, prostatic disease, and obstetric factors. Women who have given birth are more at risk of developing this issue and it is also much more prevalent in older people.
Related Symptoms
Here are a few conditions and diseases that may cause or contribute to urinary incontinence:
- Urinary tract or vaginal infections
- Side effects of medications
- Constipation
- A weakness of certain muscles in the pelvis
- Blocked urethra due to an enlarged prostate
- Diseases and disorders involving the nervous system muscles (i.e., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, and stroke)
- Some types of surgery
- Diabetes
- Delirium
- Dehydration
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Overactive bladder
- A weakness of the muscles holding the bladder in place
- A weakness of the sphincter muscles surrounding the urethra
- Birth defects
- Enlarged prostate
Types of Urinary Incontinence
There are three main types of urinary incontinence: stress urinary incontinence, which is caused by an increase in abdominal pressure, urge urinary incontinence, which is accompanied by a strong urge to urinate, and mixed urinary incontinence, which is a combination of these two.
Don’t Suffer in Silence
Many people suffer from this issue without seeking help. It can have serious consequences on your quality of life, as it can leave you incapable of participating in normal activities that might take you too far away from a toilet. Incontinence is highly treatable, and you should seek help for it; there is no shame in doing so.