If you are having difficulty controlling your bladder, you may have urge incontinence. Your bladder wall and the sphincter muscle (controls the flow of urine out of the body) must be strong and functioning correctly in order to control the need to urinate. As your bladder fills, it needs to be able to store the urine until you are able to go. Urge incontinence occurs when urine leaks from the bladder because these muscles are no longer working properly. In some cases, the cause is never known, while in other cases, it is the result of disease. If you recognize the signs and symptoms, talk to your doctor about treatments and exercises you can do to help manage your symptoms.
Common Symptoms
If you have urge incontinence, you may experience a sudden and urgent need to urinate. This happens as your bladder muscles start to spasm and contract. This can happen when your bladder is full or when it is storing very little urine. You may need to urinate frequently during the daytime and at night. The National Association For Continence states that you may have this condition if you urinate eight or more times a day or more than once at night.
Additional Symptoms
Your bladder may leak urine for no known reason, or it may leak when you cough, laugh, sneeze, exercise, bend or lift. In other words, you may feel unable to control your bladder. You may also leak small amounts of urine constantly. In addition, your bladder may still feel full even after you go.
Other Symptoms
Constant leakage of urine can cause skin rashes, ulcers, sores and chronic skin infections. It may contribute to insomnia as you worry about having to get up to go. You may be unable to concentrate at work or home, and feel embarrassed when in social settings. All of the above can lead to feeling anxious and depressed.
