Urinary or bladder incontinence is the inability to control the bladder.  The symptom tied to night-time is commonly called bedwetting or nocturnal enuresis; however, urinary incontinence also affect people during the day and in adults too.  The causes of incontinence will depend on the different circumstances.  For example, the bladder can become weak due to an operation received.  In men, this is most noticeable after a prostate operation.  Stress, nerve damage, and weakened muscles can also play a factor as well as obesity.  In most cases, urinary incontinence is a result of a medical condition affecting the bladder.

Anyone experiencing urinary incontinence should seek medical assistance for diagnosis to find out the cause.  Bladder control problems are a medical condition and can be managed or treated.  In addition, doctors can recommend exercises to strengthen bladder muscles which will help minimize the occurrence of involuntary urine loss.   

Stress Urinary Incontinence
Associated with weak pelvic muscles, stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a result of increased pressure placed on the bladder resulting in urine loss.  In this case, sneezing, laughing, or even exercise can cause pressure to increase on the bladder causing incontinence.  Stress incontinence is more common among females as studies show over 80% of people suffering from SUI are women.  In women, stress urinary incontinence is caused by menopause, pregnancy, and childbirth.  During childbirth, the pelvic floor muscles can become weakened resulting in unnecessary pressure on the bladder.  In males, stress urinary incontinence typically results from prostate operations. 

Urge Incontinence
Resulting from an overactive bladder, urge incontinence results from the inability to hold the urine before going to the toilet.  People are typically affected due to nerve damage or conditions affecting the bladder.  Urge incontinence causes people to have an impulsive need to urinate with the inability to control when to go.

Overflow Incontinence
Resulting from weaken bladder muscles, overflow incontinence means a person can not empty their bladder fully.  As a result, the bladder drips urine constantly.  This form of urinary incontinence can unbeknownst happen to a person as there is no messaging telling the individual that they need to urinate.

Regardless of the type of urinary incontinence, many suffers go through the similar experiences.  The good news is that people are talking about urinary incontinence more openly which leads to suggestions on how to manage incontinence.  Today, Kegel exercises are recommended as they strengthen muscles in the sphincter and pelvic region.  In addition, doctors have numerous treatments available based on individual needs.  The medical industry has made significant improvements on products that help control and manage urinary incontinence.  Today, there are many products like adult diapers, liners, and pads that are made from thin material with excellent absorbent ability. With a wide-range of adult incontinence products available, you can put your mind at ease next time you travel around.

Related Material
- Bowel Incontinence>
- Incontinence Affecting Women>
- Incontinence Affecting Men>

- What is Urinary Incontinence?