Bladder incontinence is the inability to control the release of urine from the bladder. This common condition affects men and women of all ages, but is most common among females. There are multiple types of bladder incontinence ranging in severity.
Sufferers of bladder incontinence may experience leaking after coughing, laughing, or sneezing. This is commonly referred to as stress incontinence. Some may experience a sudden urge to go to the restroom but are unable to reach the toilet in time to void. This is referred to as urge incontinence, or more commonly, overactive bladder syndrome. Others may experience a combination of both stress and urge incontinence. To learn more about the different types of incontinence, please continue reading below.
Different types of bladder incontinence:
- Stress Incontinence Stress incontinence is an involuntary leak of urine upon physical activity such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting heavy objects or exercise.
- Urge Incontinence Urge incontinence, also known as an overactive bladder (OAB), occurs when there is a sudden, uncontrolled urge to urinate.
- Mixed Incontinence Mixed incontinence is a combination of stress and urge incontinence.
- Functional Incontinence Functional incontinence is typically a result of a mental disease and/or physical handicap, which prevents affected individuals from utilizing the bathroom in time.
- Overflow Incontinence Overflow incontinence occurs when you lack the ability to completely empty your bladder resulting in the unexpected release of urine into the undergarments.
- Reflex incontinence Reflex incontinence is a variation of urge incontinence in which you may experience uncontrollable urination with a complete lack of urge to urinate.