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