Urge incontinence

Urge incontinence is a type of urinary incontinence characterized by the sudden and strong need to urinate. It is also known as overactive bladder syndrome and is a common condition, particularly in older adults.

Causes

Urge incontinence is caused by involuntary contractions of the bladder muscle (detrusor). These contractions can occur even when the volume of urine in your bladder is low. The exact cause of these involuntary contractions is unknown, but they may be associated with:

• Neurological disorders or damage
• Diabetes
• Certain medications
• Infections of the urinary tract
• Bladder abnormalities, such as bladder stones or tumors
• Conditions that cause high urine production, such as diabetes and kidney disease

Symptoms

The primary symptom of urge incontinence is a sudden, intense urge to urinate, followed by an involuntary loss of urine. You may need to urinate often, including throughout the night. Urge incontinence can interfere with your work, social life, exercise and sleep.

Diagnosis

To diagnose urge incontinence, your doctor will likely take a medical history and conduct a physical examination. They may also order certain tests, such as:

• Urinalysis
• Bladder function tests
• Ultrasound
• Cystoscopy

Treatment

Treatment for urge incontinence can include:

• Behavioral techniques, such as bladder training and scheduled toilet trips
• Physical therapy for pelvic floor muscles
• Medications that relax the bladder
• Nerve stimulators
• Surgery

See also

• Stress incontinence
• Overflow incontinence
• Functional incontinence
• Mixed incontinence

Urge incontinence Resources
Latest articles Most recent articles Ongoing trials	Wikipedia