1. Age
Urinary incontinence is a common ailment that few people want to discuss. In fact, more than 13 million American suffer from the condition at some point in their lives, according to the National Institute of Health, but only one in twelve seek help. Those who do seek help wait an average seven years before talking to their doctor, according to the National Association for Continence. The condition is more common in older people. As people age, muscles supporting the bladder weaken leading to problems holding urine. Its estimated that ten percent of women over age 65 have experienced urinary incontinence and the figure rising to 21 percent in women over the age of 85.
2. Lifestyle
Diet, exercise and habits play a major role in keeping the urinary system healthy. A well balanced diet with fruits, vegetables and grains, as well as regular exercise, helps all body functions by supplying supportive nutrients. Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids. Fiber is also key to minimizing incontinence because it absorbs water in the body. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which cause people to urinate more frequently, and stay away from cigarettes because they cause a heavy smokers cough that puts pressure on the bladder, and they may also lead to bladder cancer.
3. Birth method
Pregnancy and Childbirth are major players in causing urinary incontinence because the birthing process puts large amount of pressure on the bladder and surrounding muscles and organs. Women who give birth over the age of 30 may be in greater risk of experiencing urinary leakage. Oxycotin, a drug used to induce labor, may have an impact on urinary incontinence because it adds pressure and force to the muscles and nerves in the pelvis. Childbirth can also lead to another cause of urinary incontinence - a prolapsed uterus and bladder. When the supporting muscle holding up the uterus and bladder weakens, the two organs could sag into the vagina and cause urinary problems.
4. A Tendency Toward Trampolines
Yes trampolines. Athletes who take part in high impact sports, like running, gymnastics and trampoline jumping, experience urinary incontinence more than those who play sports like golf. A small Swedish study from 2002 even found that 80 percent of elite trampolinists experienced urinary incontinence during training. Leakage due to intense physical activity is called stress incontinence because the training puts extra pressure on the bladder. The condition usually stops when the activity ceases. And physical activity isn't the only culprit. Coughing, sneezing or laughing can cause stress incontinence.
5. Men
In early life girls develop their potty training skills before boys and experience less bed wetting and urinary leakage. That changes with age though, as adult women are far more prone to experiencing urinary incontinence than men because of changes caused by pregnancy and childbirth. That said, men can still be victim of loss of control of urine for a number of reasons. Urine leakage may indicate diabetes, stroke, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis. It may also result from an enlarge prostate gland. Since the prostate gland wraps around the urethra, any increases in its size could lead to a restriction of the urethra, making the bladder work harder to force out urine.
