The Different Types of Incontinence

Unexpected leaks of urine or a sudden loss of bladder control can be both troubling and embarrassing. The experienced urology team at Urology Specialist Group understands how frustrating it can be to live a normal, high-quality life with incontinence issues.

The skilled urologists offer insight into what may be causing your incontinence issues and what you can do to treat them.

6 different types of urinary incontinence

Incontinence describes a loss of bladder control that causes leaks of urine. There are a number of underlying factors that can contribute to incontinence and the Urology Specialist Group team offer comprehensive diagnostic services to identify the root cause of your issues.

There are six different types of urinary incontinence that can result in unexpected and sudden leaks of urine:

Stress incontinence

Stress incontinence involves a loss of urine when pressure is put on the bladder during sudden movements, like sneezing or coughing, or when you’re physically active.

The most common triggers for stress incontinence are pregnancy, childbirth, women’s health issues, or trauma from a surgery.

Urge incontinence

Urge incontinence describes a sudden, uncontrollable need to urinate. This condition may make it difficult for you to make it to the bathroom in time.

For many with urge incontinence, the root cause relates to pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. You may also be at increased risk for urge incontinence if you have a neurological disorder like multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.

Mixed incontinence

Mixed incontinence involves a combination of both stress and urge incontinence issues. You may leak urine with activities or feel the need to release large amounts of urine without much warning.

Overflow incontinence

Overflow incontinence is a condition where you may experience frequent dribbles of urine even after using the bathroom due to dysfunction in the bladder.

Those with overflow incontinence often experience urine leaks due to underlying medical issues, like a spinal cord injury, neurological disease, or diabetes. Men are also at risk for overflow incontinence if they have an enlarged prostate.

Functional incontinence

Functional incontinence describes urine loss that doesn’t relate to an underlying problem in the urinary tract. This condition may be the result of a physical or cognitive impairment, including a head injury or Alzheimer’s disease.

Reflex incontinence

Reflex incontinence causes leaks of urine due to involuntary reflexes in the bladder. When your bladder fills with urine, the bladder contracts to empty it without warning.

This type of incontinence is typically associated with a specific spinal cord injury.

What to do about urinary incontinence

The physicians at Urology Specialist Group take the time to learn more about your symptoms and your medical history to pinpoint the cause of your incontinence. They discuss the frequency of your urine leaks and what you’re doing when they occur.

Additionally, the team offers on-site diagnostic testing services like ultrasound imaging and urinalysis to rule out underlying complications like infections or tumors in the urinary tract.

You can also work on making necessary lifestyle and dietary changes to reduce the frequency and severity of your urine leaks. This may include:

• Avoiding caffeine
• Limiting alcohol
• Losing weight

You also need to prepare for urine leaks by wearing absorbent pads and changing wet clothing quickly to avoid skin rashes and infections.

Treatment options for urinary incontinence

The Urology Specialist Group medical team offers customized treatment options for all types of urinary incontinence. They can recommend pelvic floor exercises to increase the strength of the muscles that support your bladder.

If you have severe bladder leaks due to the collapse of your pelvic floor, the team may recommend pelvic floor reconstruction surgery. They also offer treatment options for men’s health issues, such as an enlarged prostate that’s causing urinary incontinence.

You don’t have to be limited by urinary incontinence. Schedule a diagnostic evaluation at Urology Specialist Group today by calling the office or by requesting an appointment online.