Urinary Incontinence

Have you ever been afraid to go out because you might leak urine? If so, you are not alone.  Urinary incontinence is the accidental loss of urine.  Leaking urine happens to many people.  It can happen when you cough, sneeze, laugh or jog.  Or you may have to suddenly go to the bathroom and can't get there in time.  There are two common types of persistent or chronic loss of bladder control;

Stress incontinence occurs when small amounts of urine leak out when you cough, sneeze, laugh or exercise.  It's the most common type of bladder control problem in women.

Urge incontinence happens when the need to urinate comes on so quickly that there is not enough time to get to the bathroom.  Some people may have no warning before they accidentally leak urine. 

When incontinence lasts longer, it may be due to:
weak bladder muscles
overactive bladder muscles
damage to nerves that control the bladder from diseases such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson's disease
diseases such as arthritis that may make it difficult to get to the bathroom in time
blockage from an enlarged prostate in men
Don't let urinary incontinence embarrass you.  Take charge and work with your doctor to treat any underlying condition that may be causing the problem.  Some common causes of urinary incontinence are certain medicines, urinary tract infection and constipation.
Your doctor will examine you and may ask questions like how often and how much you urinate and leak.  He or she will also want to know about how much and what you drink.  The good news is that most bladder control problems can be improved or cured.