Urinary Incontinence Essay

1708 Words7 Pages
URINARY INCONTINENCE By: Julie Ross WHAT IS URINARY INCONTINENCE? Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine; in simple terms, to wee when you don't intend to. It is the inability to hold urine in the bladder because voluntary control over the urinary sphincter is either lost or weakened. Manifestations •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 neurologic 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 Common Causes Certain drinks, foods and medications can act as diuretics, stimulating your bladder and increasing your volume of urine. They include: • Carbonated drinks • Artificial sweeteners • Corn syrup • Foods that are high in spice, sugar or acid, especially citrus fruits • Constipation. The rectum is located near the bladder and shares many of the same nerves. Hard, compacted stool in your rectum causes these nerves to be overactive and increase urinary frequency. Heart and blood pressure medications, sedatives, and muscle relaxants • • Decaffeinated tea and coffee • Urinary tract infection.

More about Urinary Incontinence Essay

Open Document