Urinary incontinence — the loss of bladder control —The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that’s so sudden and strong you don’t get to a toilet in time. Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. Incontinence is a common condition and happens because of problems with the muscles and nerves that help the bladder hold or release urine. Though it occurs more often as people get older, urinary incontinence isn’t an inevitable consequence of aging.
Types of urinary incontinence include:
- Stress incontinence-Urine leaks when you exert pressure on bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting something heavy.
- Urge incontinence-a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine.
- Overflow incontinence frequent or constant dribbling of urine due to a bladder that doesn’t empty completely.
- Functional incontinence a physical or mental impairment keeps you from making it to the toilet in time.
- Mixed incontinence.
Causes
Temporary urinary incontinence
Certain drinks, foods and medications may act as diuretics — stimulating bladder and increasing volume of urine. They include: Alcohol, Caffeine, Carbonated drinks and sparkling water, Artificial sweeteners, Chocolate, Chilli peppers, Foods that are high in spice, sugar or acid, especially citrus fruits, Heart and blood pressure medications, sedatives, and muscle relaxants, Large doses of vitamin C
Urinary incontinence may also be caused by an easily treatable medical condition, such as:
- Urinary tract infection
- Constipation
Persistent urinary incontinence
- Pregnancy
- Childbirth
- Changes with age
- Menopause
- Hysterectomy
- Enlarged prostate
- Prostate cancer
- Obstruction
- Neurological disorders