Urinary incontinence is the inability of the bladder to hold urine even if the individual does not want to urinate.

When one fails to hold their urine, leakage occurs. The bladder may not be responsible for this problem that causes embarrassment and worry, other conditions may be contributing to this complaint:

  • Bladder muscles may have decreased ability to hold the urine.
  • Bladder muscles may be overworked.
  • The nervous system that acts on the bladder may be damaged.
  • Even if the bladder is functioning properly, the legs, spine, or the musculoskeletal system may be limiting movements.

Urinary incontinence is not a disease but a sign of a health problem.

Innocent behaviors such as consuming excessive amounts of tea and coffee during the day can cause urinary urgency, or certain health problems may be the underlying reason of urinary incontinence:

History of a bacterial disease such as urinary tract infection,

Serious respiratory diseases such as emphysema, cystic fibrosis,

Medications that overwork the bladder, such as diuretics,

History of a long and painful labor/ advanced maternal age/ giving birth more than once,

Decreased elasticity of bladder muscles due to reasons such as menopause,

Experiencing constipation frequently, which may cause the bladder to be compressed,

Being middle-aged and elderly/ experiencing the so-called second spring,

Being overweight at a level that prevents active movements,

Suffering from diabetes, whose symptoms include frequent urination,

Having benign prostate hyperplasia/ presence of prostate cancer/ having had prostate surgery,

Having rheumatic diseases that cause problems with reaching the toilet, or having a condition such as multiple sclerosis, in which one can lose muscle control, may lead to urinary urgency and prevent the bladder from holding urine in a healthy way.

Moreover, family history of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and dementia, which affect the proper functioning of the nervous system that controls the bladder, such as having parents with these conditions, may also cause the development of urinary incontinence.

There may be different reasons underlying urinary incontinence complaints.

Please do not hesitate to consult your doctor for more information.

Source
https://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact-sheet/urinary-incontinence.html. Erişim tarihi: Nisan 2017.

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