Urinary incontinence is when a person leaks urine or losses bladder control due to problems with the supporting tissues and muscles and nerves in the bladder that are used to hold and release urine. Symptoms can range from an occasional leakage of urine to uncontrollable complete loss of urine.
Causes Of Incontinence
While incontinence can occur to anyone, it generally becomes more common with age. Women are twice as likely as men to be affected by incontinence, especially those women who have given birth or experienced menopause.
Trauma during childbirth can weaken the pelvic floor muscles and supporting structures. The weakening of these muscles and supporting structures allow the bladder to drop downward, affecting the ability to store urine and void properly.
Nerve damage can also lead to incontinence – C nerve damage may be from chronic conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke. Obesity, hyperthyroidism, uncontrolled diabetes, and medications for fluid retention and high blood pressure may also worsen urinary leakage.