Urinary Incontinence

Stress Incontinence

Stress incontinence is common among women who have had children.

This condition causes the release of a small amount of urine while coughing, sneezing, and laughing, during strenuous activity, or when perform-ing weight-bearing exercise.

Pelvic floor exercises and hormone treatment may help resolve the problem.

Urge Incontinence

Urge incontinence may be caused by a bladder infection, kidney stones, or a diuretic medication. When internal pressure in the bladder reaches a certain level, the person has a strong urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary contraction and emptying of the bladder. Treatment with medication is not very satisfactory. Elimination of the cause is the best means of treatment.

The Irritable Bladder

An irritable bladder may be caused by a urinary tract infection or stress. The bladder muscle contracts intermittently, pushing out a small amount of urine and causing an intense desire to urinate.

Overflow Incontinence

Overflow incontinence is a result or obstruction by an enlarged prostate gland.

The bladder fills up completely and remains full and then, at regular intervals, releases a small involuntary "overflow" of urine.

Prior to removal of the prostate, draining the bladder with a catheter can relieve the condition.

Fecal Incontinence

Ironically, fecal incontinence is often caused by severe constipation. The feces become hardened and fill the lower part of the rectum.

As a result, the less -formed and liquid stool above the rectum is involuntarily forced out when the per-son strains to move the bowels.

This condition is called fecal impaction and the fecal material must be broken up manually and flushed out with enemas.

Fecal incontinence may be caused by a serious neurological disorder (such as paralysis, multiple sclerosis, or demen-tia) and may be reduced by the regular use of enemas.

Similar of Urinary Incontinence