| The definition of urinary incontinence is the | | | | muscular pressure in the area around the urethra, |
| involuntary excretion of urine from a person's | | | | which then increases the chances of urine leakage. |
| body. When someone has it temporarily then it is | | | | It is common for women to develop stress |
| usually a result of an underlying medical condition. | | | | incontinence after going through menopause |
| Continence involves a balance of the urethral | | | | because of lowered levels of estrogen in their |
| closure and detrusor muscle activity. | | | | bodies. |
| Urethral pressure will usually exceed bladder | | | | Urge incontinence may also be called reflux |
| pressure which will result in urine remaining in the | | | | incontinence if it results from overactive nerves |
| bladder. The urethra and bladder are both located | | | | that control the bladder. Many medical |
| within the pelvis. In the event that intra-abdominal | | | | professionals describe bladder such as these as |
| pressure should increases (due to coughing or | | | | unstable, spastic, or overactive. |
| sneezing) transmitting the pressure to both the | | | | Some patients suffer from incontinence while |
| urethra and the bladder equally, leaving the | | | | they are sleeping, even after drinking only small |
| pressure differential unchanged, resulting in | | | | amount of water, or when they touch it or hear |
| continence. | | | | it running such as then taking a shower. |
| Stress incontinence is caused by pelvic floor | | | | Some patients may experience involuntary actions |
| muscle weakness and is the loss of small amounts | | | | of bladder muscles because of prior damage to |
| of urine when coughing, laughing, sneezing, | | | | the nerves of the bladder, to the nervous |
| exercising, or other physical activity that increase | | | | system which includes the spinal cord and brain, or |
| the intra abdominal pressure, which increases | | | | to the muscles themselves. Other serious |
| bladder on the bladder. | | | | conditions that can cause damage to the bladder |
| In some cases physical changes that are the | | | | nerves or muscles include multiple sclerosis, |
| result of pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause | | | | Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, stroke, |
| which are all often causes of stress incontinence. | | | | and injury. |
| In men it is common among those who have | | | | Some of those suffering from functional |
| recently had a prostatectomy. It is more | | | | incontinence may have problems thinking, moving, |
| common in women and is treatable. | | | | or communicating then prevent them from |
| A urethra is supported by fascia of the pelvic | | | | making it to the restroom it time. Some of those |
| floor. If this support becomes weakened the | | | | with Alzheimer's disease may not think well |
| urethra can move downward at times of | | | | enough to be able to plan enough time to go to |
| increased abdominal pressure which causes stress | | | | the restroom. |
| incontinence. This is common for women who are | | | | It is also more difficult for someone in a |
| pregnant or giving birth. | | | | wheelchair who may be blocked from getting to |
| It is also possible for stress incontinence to get | | | | the restroom in time. This is more common for |
| worse during the week prior to a woman's | | | | elderly women and men who don't have the |
| menstrual cycle. During this period of the month | | | | necessary care. |
| lowered estrogen levels may lead to lower | | | | |