Types of Urinary Tract Incontinence

Incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine from the bladder. In addition to physical symptoms such as urinary urgency and urine leakage, incontinence can also cause psychological effects. Several types of urinary tract incontinence can occur as the result of neurological disorders, bladder dysfunction, behavioral issues and bladder muscle weakness. Treatment depends on the type and severity of incontinence experienced.

Functional Incontinence

Functional incontinence is most often found in elderly people who have mental and physical conditions that limit their ability to move and communicate. Urine leakage can occur as the result of an inability to get to the bathroom on time or an inability to ask for help in using the bathroom. This type of incontinence is treated by providing toilet assistance to the affected person, according to the Merck Manual Home Edition. This can involve reminding the incontinent person to use the bathroom or helping a person get to the bathroom or use a bedside toilet. Undergarments made specifically for incontinence can be used to protect clothing from urine leakage.

Overflow Incontinence

Overflow incontinence results from an inability to empty the bladder. This results in frequent or constant dribbling of urine. Someone who is able to empty her bladder occasionally may feel like the bladder is never completely empty, and the stream of urine may be weak. Overflow incontinence can be caused by bladder damage, prostate gland problems, urethral obstructions and nerve damage caused by diabetes. If the incontinence is caused by an obstruction, the obstruction needs to be resolved in order to resolve the urine leakage. Intermittent self-catheterization can also be used to prevent urine leakage. This involves inserting a tube into the bladder through the urethra so that urine can be drained. Urology Channel indicates that this procedure can be done every three to eight hours to empty the bladder.

Stress Incontinence

Stress incontinence is urine leakage that occurs as a result of physical activity such as laughing or sneezing. This is caused by a lack of strength in the urethral sphincter, which is the muscle that helps control urine flow. When pressure is placed on the bladder from the abdomen, the sphincter does not prevent urine from being released. This can be caused by medications, injury to the urethra, neurological disorders and pelvic surgery. This type of incontinence can be treated with pelvic floor muscle exercises, medications, surgery and behavioral changes. Reducing excessive fluid intake can help prevent urine leakage.

Urge Incontinence

Urge incontinence is caused by contractions of the bladder muscles that occur suddenly. This produces a sudden need to urinate that is very intense. Urge incontinence can be the result of bladder inflammation, urinary stones, bladder infection, bladder cancer, obstruction of the bladder outlet, spinal cord injury and neurological disorders. In addition to urine leakage, someone affected by urge incontinence may experience abdominal discomfort, abdominal distention and frequent urination. Treatment for urge incontinence can include medications, pelvic muscle exercises, biofeedback and bladder-training programs.

Mixed Incontinence

Mixed incontinence is the presence of stress incontinence and urge incontinence. Mixed incontinence is more common in women than men, and can be made worse by pregnancy and gynecological conditions that affect the female reproductive organs. Treating mixed incontinence involves trying therapies that are used to treat either stress incontinence or urge incontinence. These therapies can include medications, pelvic muscle exercises, surgery, behavioral changes, bladder-training programs and biofeedback.