Urinary incontinence is a common problem and the severity varies from occasionally leaking urine when coughing or sneezing to more acute urge feelings and larger leakage throughout the day. Urinary incontinence is definitely more common for older people, but it can also happen for other reasons as well. There are several different types of urinary incontinence:
Stress urinary incontinence
This usually happens when someone is coughing, sneezing or laughing. It’s the most common incontinence type among women, but rare in men.
Urge urinary incontinence
Incontinence problems with a large urgency to urinate. The amount of leakage varies, from small dribbles to complete emptying of the bladder. Can be caused by a number of reasons, like enlarged prostate, a urinary tract infection, or simply if you drink too much.
Mixed urinary incontinence
A combination of both stress urinary incontinence and urge urinary incontinence. It means the person can have leaks both connected with urgency and when exerting themselves.
Overflow urinary incontinence
Occurs when the bladder cannot empty completely and then gradually fills with residual urine. The most common cause for this type of problem is an obstruction of the urethra, for example, due to an enlarged prostate. On the other hand, it can also be caused by an inactive bladder muscle, normally a consequence from nerve damage around the bladder (for instance via multiple sclerosis or diabetes), or as a side effect of certain medications.
Post-micturition dribble
The involuntary loss of urine immediately after passing urine. It happens because there is still urine remaining in the urethra. The problem is more common for men and can sometimes be avoided by pressing forward on the perineum to evacuate the remaining urine. It can also affect women who have poor muscle support for the urethra.
Functional urinary incontinence
When the person cannot reach the toilet in time due to some sort of immobility. Impaired vision, lowered cognitive function, and reduced mobility can cause functional urinary incontinence.