About Urinary Incontinence
The most common type of urinary incontinence in adults occurs during coughing, sneezing, and physical exertion and is called stress incontinence. In women, it is usually due to loss of bladder support resulting from multiple childbirths, aging, obesity or lack of estrogen. Men often suffer from stress incontinence following prostate cancer surgery.
Many adults suffer from urge incontinence. With this type of incontinence, people experience an intense urge to urinate and do not reach the restroom in time. It is usually associated with frequent urination both day and night. Common triggers of urge incontinence include running water, “the key in the door” syndrome, and laughing. Many people suffer from a combination of both stress and urge incontinence.
Many children suffer from urinary incontinence. It may represent a delay in the maturation of the normal bladder control mechanisms. Bedwetting is common, especially in children who are deep sleepers and in those whose parents suffered from the condition. The diagnosis and treatment of incontinence may be important for a child’s self-esteem.