Incontinence is a common condition and happens because of problems with the muscles and nerves that help the bladder hold or release urine. Though it occurs more often as people get older, urinary incontinence isn't an inevitable consequence of aging. For most people, simple lifestyle and dietary changes or medical care can treat symptoms of urinary incontinence. Types of urinary incontinence include:
• Stress incontinence: Urine leaks when you exert pressure on your bladder by coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising or lifting something heavy.
• Urge incontinence: You have a sudden, intense urge to urinate followed by an involuntary loss of urine. You may need to urinate often, including throughout the night. Urge incontinence may be caused by a minor condition, such as infection, or a more severe condition such as a neurological disorder or diabetes.
• Overflow incontinence: You experience frequent or constant dribbling of urine due to a bladder that doesn't empty completely.
• Functional incontinence: A physical or mental impairment keeps you from making it to the toilet in time. For example, if you have severe arthritis, you may not be able to unbutton your pants quickly enough.
• Mixed incontinence: You experience more than one type of urinary incontinence — most often this refers to a combination of stress incontinence and urge incontinence.
