Generally speaking, the medical term incontinence refers to any involuntary release of body fluids, but many people strongly associate it with the inability to control the flow of urine. There are actually several different forms: fecal, urinary and, in some cases, seminal. Physicians are more likely to define a patient's condition as "faecal incontinence" or "stress urinary incontinence." Some may have a condition called "mixed incontinence," a combination of both fecal and urinary difficulties.
Urinary incontinence occurs when the sphincter muscles at the base of the bladder are unable to hold back the flow of urine. In healthy people, these sphincter muscles remain rigid until the urge to urinate becomes too strong to ignore. The bladder receives and stores urine from the kidneys until it reaches a certain capacity, usually about 8 fluid ounces (236.5 ml). At this point, healthy people should feel the first cue to urinate. The bladder can continue to store urine up to about 16 fluid ounces (473.1 ml), when it is necessary to urinate.
Under normal circumstances, this signal to urinate is followed by compression of the bladder wall muscles and relaxation of the sphincter muscles. Urine flows into the urethra and eventually leaves the body. However, people who suffer from urinary incontinence may not be able to empty (empty) all of their urine at one time, leaving some in the bladder itself. This can signal the sphincter muscles to relax involuntarily, causing urinary leakage.
This continuous cycle of emptying a partially empty bladder is called urge incontinence . This condition is very common among women who are pregnant or who have difficulty getting to the bathroom on time. Older people also tend to develop it as a result of the aging process or surgical procedures. Men without a prostate can also experience a form of urge incontinence.
The other common form is called stress incontinence . Anyone who has experienced involuntary urine leakage after laughing or coughing has experienced this condition. Pregnancy can also trigger a seizure as the uterus and other organs press on the bladder. Many victims wear protective clothing to minimize the effects of accidents.
Incontinence is often just a symptom of a much larger medical condition. Urinary tract infections can cause temporary urge incontinence, as can catheter removal after surgery. Medical professionals may prescribe medications for overactive bladders that try to control the contractions of the bladder muscles. Episodes of incontinence, whether fecal or urinary, should be reported to a health care provider as soon as possible, as they could be an indication of a much more serious condition.