Types of Urinary Incontinence
Types of urinary incontinence fall into four categories, and each one has similarities and differences. It is important to identify the type of urinary incontinence, because successful treatment for urinary incontinence depends on knowing the type of incontinence being treated. The four main types of urinary incontinence are:
- Stress incontinence occurs when you place pressure on the bladder, which can occur when you laugh, sneeze, exercise, lift heavy objects, engage in sex, or participate in other activities that can stress the bladder.
- Urge incontinence is a condition in which individuals experience an urge to urinate that is so strong they can’t reach a toilet in time. Among the types of urinary incontinence is a form of urge incontinence called overactive bladder. This type of urinary incontinence occurs when the bladder muscle contracts at inappropriate times, even if there is only a small amount of urine in the bladder. Not everyone who has an overactive bladder experience urine leakage.
- Overflow incontinence occurs when you cannot empty your bladder completely. Over time, urine accumulates in the bladder and can overflow, resulting in leakage.
- Total incontinence is the most severe of the types of urinary incontinence. It involves the complete loss of control of urination, resulting in urine leaks all the time.
Another type of urine leakage, and not actually one of the types of urinary incontinence, is called functional incontinence. Functional incontinence is rare and occurs in men who have normal bladder function, but they have a physical or mental condition that prevents them from reaching a toilet in time.
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| CLASSIFICATION OF URINARY INCONTINENCE | ||||
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Urinary incontinence is a symptom of an underlying |
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| TYPE | DESCRIPTION | |||
| STRESS INCONTINENCE | Involuntary urine loss due to increased physical pressure on the bladder. | |||
| URGE INCONTINENCE | Strong, sudden need to urinate immediately followed by a bladder contraction, resulting in involuntary loss of urine. |
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| MIXED INCONTINENCE | Both stress and urge incontinence are present. | |||
| OVERFLOW INCONTINENCE | Involuntary loss of urine due to overdistension of the bladder. | |||
| TOTAL INCONTINENCE | Involuntary urine loss due to detrusor hyperreflexia and/or involuntary urethral relaxation |
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| POTENTIAL CAUSES OF INCONTINENCE | ||||
| TEMPORARY CAUSES | IRREVERSIBLE CAUSES | |||
| UTI or urinary tract inflammationProstate infection or inflammationStool impaction
Increased urine volume Pregnancy Weight gain Immobility Mental confusion Medications |
Spinal injuriesAnatomical abnormalitiesNeurological disease or disorders
Sphincter damage Pelvic prolapse Enlarged prostate CNS disorders Bladder cancer Bladder spasms |
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(revised 4/2004) |
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