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