Advanced Care Program: Incontinence

Types of Incontinence

Incontinence is not only a medical problem, it also affects ones emotional, psychological, and social well being. Many people will avoid normal activities due to a fear of urine leakage. It is important to know that incontinence is often treatable. Incontinence is often caused by a weakness of the pelvic muscles or overactive bladder muscles. Incontinence is classified by the symptoms that occur during an incontinent episode.

Types of incontinence include:

• Stress Incontinence is when urine leaks when you do something that stresses the abdominal muscles, such as sneezing, laughing, coughing, or exercising. It is the most common type of bladder control problem.
• Urge Incontinence is due to an overactive bladder that allows urine to leak out. Often you will feel a sudden, urgent need to get to the bathroom, even when the bladder has little urine.
• Mixed Incontinence is a combination of both stress and urge incontinence.
• Overflow Incontinence is when the bladder overfills and begins to overflow. This is generally due to a blockage of the urethra which prevents normal emptying of the bladder.
• Functional Incontinence occurs when an individual cannot physically get to a bathroom when needed.

Incontinence is treatable. In fact, approximately 80% of people affected by incontinence can be cured or see significant improvement. Help is available for everyone. There are a number of options available that have been used successfully to treat incontinence. See your healthcare professional to discuss the best treatment plan for your type of incontinence.

More Incontinence Topics

Types of Incontinence
Diet & Bladder Control
Treatments for Incontinence
Medications & Bladder Control
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Pelvic Floor Stimulation
Behavioral Training