Incontinence
Incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control, leading to accidental leakage of urine. It’s a common condition affecting people of all ages and sexes, though it's more prevalent in older adults and women after childbirth.
What Causes Incontinence?
Urge Incontinence: Overactive bladder muscles cause a sudden, strong need to urinate.
Stress Incontinence: Leakage occurs during physical activity, coughing, or sneezing due to weakened pelvic floor muscles.
Overflow Incontinence: The bladder doesn’t empty completely, causing dribbling.
Functional Incontinence: Physical or mental impairments prevent a person from reaching the toilet in time.
Mixed Incontinence: A combination of stress and urge incontinence.
Common causes and contributing factors include:
Weakened pelvic floor muscles (e.g., after childbirth or surgery)
Menopause or hormonal changes
Prostate issues in men
Nerve damage from conditions like diabetes, stroke, or multiple sclerosis
Obesity, chronic constipation, or urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Certain medications or excessive alcohol/caffeine intake
