Urinary Incontinence

• What is Urinary incontinence (UI)?
• What are causes of UI?
• What are the types of UI?
• What treatments are recommended for UI?
• What are treatments for the chronically incontinent?
• Urinary Incontinence At A Glance
• Related Urinary Incontinence articles:
  Urinary Incontinence - on WebMD

What Is Urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence (UI) is the unintentional loss of urine. UI is a problem for more than 17 million Americans - 85 percent of them women. Although about half of the elderly have episodes of incontinence, bladder problems are not a natural consequence of aging, and they are not exclusively a problem of the elderly.

Although UI can be improved in 8 out of 10 cases, fewer than half of those with bladder problems ever discuss the condition with their health care professional. The disorder, therefore, often goes untreated.

UI is also referred to as bladder incontinence.

What are causes of UI?

UI has a number of causes. Women are most likely to develop incontinence either during pregnancy and childbirth, or after the hormonal changes of menopause, because of weakened pelvic muscles. Older men can become incontinent as the result of prostate surgery. Pelvic trauma, spinal cord damage, caffeine, or medications, including cold preparations and diet drugs that are available over-the-counter, can also cause episodes of UI. Diseases which affect the nerves that control the bladder, such as multiple sclerosis, can be associated with UI.

Other factors that contribute to bladder incontinence include decreased mobility or impaired thinking (such as forgetfulness, confusion, or senility), particularly in combination with drugs such as sedatives, sleeping pills, and alcohol.

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Urinalysis - Learn about the urinalysis test, why the analysis is performed, what is involved and what diseases the test can detect on MedicineNet.com Source:MedicineNet Cystoscopy and Ureteroscopy - Read about the side effects of cystoscopy and ureteroscopy, procedures used in the treatment of bladder problems (frequent urinary tract infections, kidney stones). Source:Government Multiple Sclerosis - Learn the specifics of multiple sclerosis including the description, causes, course, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, complications, and future of this disease involving the degeneration of the central nervous system. Source:MedicineNet Read 75 more Urinary Incontinence related articles ... Common Medications May Harm Memory in Older People Common Medications Could Cause Physical Impairment in the Elderly Study: Female Incontinence Is Common Most Costly Urological Diseases Watchful Waiting OK for Prostate Cancer Life Quality After Prostate Cancer Baby Boom Women Confronting Pelvic Health Conditions Health Tip: Coping With Urinary Incontinence Hysterectomy May Up Incontinence Risk 3 Questions Check Urinary Incontinence