You may have bladder control problems if you limit your activities in fear of not making it to a bathroom in time. Show
Signs and symptoms of urinary incontinence (UI) can include
When should I see a health care professional?See a health care professional if you have symptoms of a bladder problem, such as trouble urinating, a loss of bladder control, waking to use the bathroom, pelvic pain, or leaking urine. Bladder problems can affect your quality of life and cause other health problems. Your health care professional may be able to treat your UI by recommending lifestyle changes or a change in medicine. Seek care right awaySee a health care professional if you
These symptoms can signal a serious health problem, including inflammation of the bladder, also called cystitis, or even bladder cancer. What causes bladder control problems?Health changes and problems, including those with your nervous system, and lifestyle factors can cause or contribute to UI in women and men. Health changes and problemsHealth changes and problems that can lead to UI, include
Some health problems can be short-term, like a urinary tract infection or constipation, and can cause temporary incontinence. Nerve damageProblems with the nervous system are common causes of UI. Nerves carry messages from the bladder to the brain to let it know when the bladder is full. Nerves also carry messages from the brain to the bladder, telling muscles either to tighten or release. The brain decides if it’s an acceptable time to urinate. Functional incontinence can occur when there is a problem getting the messages from your brain to a part of your urinary tract—usually the bladder, the sphincters, or both. Nerves carry signals from your brain to your bladder and sphincter muscles. Bladder nerves and muscles can be damaged or affected by
Triggers that may cause a sudden, strong urge to urinate can include drinking or touching water, hearing running water, or being in a cold environment, such as reaching into the freezer at the grocery store. Lifestyle factorsLifestyle factors that make women and men more likely to experience UI include
Temporary incontinence is usually a side effect of a medicine or short-term health condition. Temporary incontinence can also be a result of eating and drinking habits, including using alcohol or caffeine. What else causes bladder control problems in women?Certain life events and health problems can lead to stress incontinence in women by weakening the pelvic floor muscles
Weak pelvic floor muscles can make it hard for your bladder to hold urine in during stress incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when an action—coughing, sneezing, laughing, or physical activity—puts pressure on your bladder and causes urine to leak. A weak pelvic floor can also cause fecal incontinence, or bowel control problems.  Weak pelvic floor muscles can allow your bladder to leak. What else causes bladder control problems in men?Men sometimes develop UI along with prostate problems. Prostate problemsMen have a prostate gland that surrounds the opening of the bladder. The prostate gets bigger as a man grows older. When a man’s prostate gets too big but isn’t cancerous, he has a condition called prostate enlargement, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Men with an enlarged prostate may have
Treatment for BPH can lead to stress incontinence, but it is usually temporary. Men who have a history of radiation or surgery for prostate cancer may have short-term or long-term UI. Surgery, radiation, or other prostate cancer treatments can lead to nerve damage, bladder spasms, or stress incontinence. Bladder control problems after prostate cancer treatment can get better over time. When the prostate gets too big it can squeeze the urethra, making it hard to start urinating. You also may have a slow urine stream or be unable to completely empty your bladder. What are the common causes of urinary incontinence?Incontinence can happen for many reasons, including urinary tract infections, vaginal infection or irritation, or constipation. Some medications can cause bladder control problems that last a short time. When incontinence lasts longer, it may be due to: Weak bladder or pelvic floor muscles.
What is the most common type of urinary incontinence?Stress Incontinence
The most common type of incontinence, it involves the leakage of urine during: Exercise. Coughing or sneezing.
What does incontinence mean?(in-KON-tih-nents) Inability to control the flow of urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or the escape of stool from the rectum (fecal incontinence).
What is the most common cause of urge incontinence?What causes urge incontinence? Most people with urge incontinence have overactive bladders. Your bladder is the organ in your urinary system that holds urine. An overactive bladder causes your muscles in your bladder to squeeze (contract) more often than they should.
|
