Dealing With Incontinence

There are many different kinds of incontinence issuses contrary to common belief. Here are just a few.

Stress Incontinence

Stress incontinence is the other main type of bladder control problem, which may occur in addition to overactive bladder. Stress Incontinence involves involuntary urine leakage due to poor urethral support while lifting, coughing, sneezing, or running. Women who have given birth are especially prone to stress incontinence.


Mixed Incontinence or Mixed Symptoms

Mixed Incontinence or Mixed Symptoms is the name given to a combination of stress incontinence and the symptoms of overactive bladder. Many people who experience problems with both urgency and frequency will eventually experience an urge incontinence episode or wetting accident. Urge incontinence often results in a larger amount of lost urine than stress incontinence and is often unpredictable. While a woman may be able to brace herself when she is about to laugh or cough and prevent loss of urine from stress incontinence, there is little warning with urge incontinence. There are many incontinence products available to help with these symptoms.

Urge urinary incontinence (UI)

The most common bladder problem is Urge urinary incontinence (UI) and this is the unwanted urine leakage that happens shortly after the sudden, intense desire to urinate. It is caused by involuntary bladder contractions that occur as the bladder fills. With urge UI, a person may be aware of the urge sensation but will be unable to stop leakage before getting to the toilet. Urine loss is usually in large amounts that soak underwear and even outer clothing. Sometimes an event will "trigger" the urine leakage. Some common triggers include hearing running water or what is known as the "key-in-the-door" syndrome. The anticipation of urinating can trigger a bladder spasm.
An additional symptom of overactive bladder seen very often - especially in the elderly - is nocturia, awakening more than two times at night to urinate, which will often disrupt sleep. This condition affects men and women of all ages, although its incidence increases significantly with age. Only your doctor can diagnose your bladder control problem and determine the right treatment for you, however we do have a simple test that is used by Doctors and other Healthcare professionals that you can perform at home to help you accurately determine the difference between Urge and Stress Incontinence.