Incontinence

Incontinence
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Synonyms
Pronounce	/ɪnˈkɒntɪnəns/
Specialty	Urology, Gynecology
Symptoms	Involuntary leakage of urine or feces
Complications	Skin infections, rashes, urinary tract infections
Onset	N/A
Duration	N/A
Types	N/A
Causes	Aging, urinary tract infections, weakened pelvic muscles, nerve damage, surgery, prostate issues, pregnancy, childbirth, menopause
Risks	N/A
Diagnosis	Medical history, physical examination, urine tests, bladder diary, imaging tests
Differential diagnosis	N/A
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Behavioral techniques, pelvic muscle exercises, medications, medical devices, interventional therapies, surgery
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	Varies by type and age
Deaths	N/A

Incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of urine or feces, which can range from a slight leakage to a complete loss of bladder or bowel control. It is a common and often distressing problem that can significantly impact an individual's quality of life.

Types

There are several types of incontinence:

Urinary Incontinence (UI): Involuntary leakage of urine. Common types include:

• Stress Incontinence: Leakage of small amounts of urine during activities that increase abdominal pressure, such as coughing, sneezing, or lifting.
• Urge Incontinence: Sudden, intense urge to urinate, followed by involuntary loss of urine.
• Overflow Incontinence: Frequent or constant dribbling due to the bladder not emptying completely.
• Functional Incontinence: Physical or mental impairments prevent timely bathroom use.
• Mixed Incontinence: A combination of stress and urge incontinence.
• Fecal Incontinence: Inability to control bowel movements, leading to involuntary defecation.

Causes

Incontinence can result from various factors, including:

• Aging
• Urinary tract infections
• Chronic constipation
• Weakened pelvic floor muscles (e.g., from childbirth)
• Nerve damage (e.g., from diabetes, stroke, multiple sclerosis)
• Prostate issues in men
• Changes due to pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause in women
• Certain surgeries, especially those involving the pelvic region or urinary tract
• Neurological disorders
• Dementia
• Physical disability

Diagnosis

Diagnosis involves:

• Review of medical history
• Physical examination, including pelvic examination in women and prostate examination in men
• Urine tests to check for infections or traces of blood
• Maintaining a bladder diary
• Imaging tests, such as ultrasound
• Urodynamic testing to measure bladder pressure
• Cystoscopy to view the urinary tract

Treatment

Treatment strategies depend on the type of incontinence and its underlying cause:

• Behavioral techniques: Includes bladder training, scheduled toilet trips, and fluid and diet management.
• Pelvic muscle exercises (Kegel exercises): Strengthening the muscles that help control urination.
• Medications: Depending on the type of incontinence, anticholinergics, Mirabegron, alpha blockers, topical estrogen (for post-menopausal women), etc., might be prescribed.
• Medical devices: Such as urethral inserts or pessaries for women.
• Interventional therapies: Procedures like bulking material injections, botulinum toxin type A injections, and nerve stimulators.
• Surgery: Procedures like sling procedures, bladder neck suspension, prolapse surgery, or artificial urinary sphincter in selected cases.

Prevention

While not all forms of incontinence can be prevented, some general recommendations include:

• Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular physical activity
• Avoiding bladder irritants, like caffeine and acidic foods
• Practicing pelvic floor exercises regularly
• Treating and managing chronic conditions that may increase the risk

See Also

• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia
• Overactive bladder
• Neurogenic bladder

References

Incontinence Resources
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