Incontinence refers to the loss of control over the bladder or bowel, or the involuntary leakage of urine or stool. Whether someone is experiencing symptoms of urinary incontinence, bowel incontinence, or both, treatment options are available.
The most common types include stress urinary incontinence (SUI), overactive bladder (OAB), urinary retention (UR), and bowel incontinence.
Stress urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine with physical exertion such as lifting, jumping or from laughing, sneezing, or coughing.
Prostate cancer treatments, like prostatectomy or radiation treatment, are common causes of SUI in men. Nerve damage, obesity and chronic cough from conditions like COPD or smoking are other potential causes of SUI that can affect the external sphincter muscle and its functionality.
Some potential causes for SUI in women include age, menopause, pregnancy, injuries to the pelvic region, genetic factors, obesity/high BMI, and diet.
Overactive bladder is an umbrella term that includes the frequent and urgent need to empty the bladder. One of the most common OAB symptoms is a sudden urge to urinate, which may result in unintentional urine loss. Other symptoms include frequency (urinating so often it disrupts your life) or nocturia (waking up more than once pre night to urinate).
Urinary retention is the inability to empty the bladder. Individuals with this condition are unable to urinate, or they feel frequent urges but only urinate small amounts.
Bowel incontinence, or accidental bowel leakage, is a condition where people experience leakage of stool before they make it to the restroom.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia, also known as an enlarged prostate, can lead to symptoms of urinary incontinence.
