Causes and Treatments

Urinary incontinence is the loss of urine control. It can be a temporary or permanent condition depending on the underlying cause and is more common in women than men. It is difficult to accurately estimate the number of men affected as it is an under reported condition Estimates are in the region of about 5 million men in the United States.  

Some causes of urinary incontinence

feature of prostate abnormalities. It can also be a side effect of total prostatectomy (surgical removal of the prostate).

Types of incontinence

There are a number of different types of incontinence and they are important in as much as they affect the type of treatment that can be offered to cure or provide maximum assistance to the sufferer. The types are:

• Stress incontinence . This is the most common type of incontinence. Urine can leak during coughing, sneezing and laughing, and lifting heavy objects or in any sort of exercise that puts pressure on the bladder.
• Urge incontinence . This is when you know you want to urinate but you cannot hold it long enough to make it to the restroom in time. It is experienced by people with conditions such Parkinson's disease, diabetes, after a stroke, in dementia. 
• Overflow incontinence . This is when the quantity of urine exceeds the capacity of the bladder and leakage of urine then occurs.
• Functional incontinence. The knowledge that you want to urinate but because of a physical problem you cannot  get to the restroom quickly enough.

Treatment and management of urinary incontinence.

Treatment of urinary incontinence depends on the underlying cause of it. It is important that your family doctor is consulted. The doctor should give you a complete physical and from the information that you give him/her and the tests that can be carried out (often very simple) a diagnosis and treatment can often cure or minimize signs and symptoms.