Loss of bladder control, also known as urinary incontinence, is an embarrassing condition that affects people of all ages. According to the Food and Drug Administration, 10 to 40 percent of women are affected, although men and children can be stricken with this condition.
Types
According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC), there are many types of bladder conditions that cause urinary incontinence. Temporary incontinence doesn't last long and is caused by an infection. Stress incontinence results from coughing, laughing and sneezing because more pressure is placed on the bladder. In urge incontinence, you leak urine after a sudden urge to urinate. Mixed incontinence is a combination of stress and urge incontinence. Functional incontinence results from mobility problems. An overactive bladder also results in increased urine output.
Cause
Loss of bladder control can result from infections, medications, constipation, weak bladder muscles, nerve damage to the bladder and tumors in the brain, spinal cord, and bladder, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Diagnosis
To diagnose loss of bladder control, your doctor performs a physical exam and obtains specific tests, according to NKUDIC. The doctor will obtain a urine sample to check for any infections, test your reflexes to assess for nerve damage, and perform a pelvic exam if you are a woman. The doctor may also have you cough to see if you leak urine.
Treatment
Treatment for loss of bladder control includes bladder-control training, Kegel exercises (squeezing specific pelvic muscles to strengthen your bladder), medications, pessaries (a plastic ring placed in the vagina) to lift the bladder and surgery. Lifestyle changes such as weight loss and change in diet may also help with urinary incontinence.
Population
According to NKUDIC, loss of bladder control can occur in women, men and children. In children, girls develop more bladder problems than boys. Adult women are more likely to exhibit loss of bladder control than men because the anatomy of their pelvis can change during pregnancy and birth. This can affect their bladder later in life.
