Incontinence refers to the involuntary leakage of urine (urinary incontinence) or feces (bowel incontinence), a common problem that can significantly impact quality of life. Urinary Incontinence:
- Definition: Urinary incontinence is the accidental loss of urine.
- Types:
- Stress incontinence: Leakage during physical activity or when the bladder is under pressure (coughing, sneezing, laughing).
- Urge incontinence: A strong, sudden urge to urinate that you can't control, leading to leakage.
- Overflow incontinence: Leakage due to the bladder not emptying completely, leading to frequent leaking.
- Mixed incontinence: A combination of stress and urge incontinence
- Causes: Weak bladder muscles, overactive bladder, urinary tract infections, and certain medical conditions.
- Treatment: Can include lifestyle changes, pelvic floor exercises, medications, and in some cases, surgery.
Bowel Incontinence:
- Definition: Bowel incontinence, also called fecal incontinence, is the unintentional leakage of stool.
- Causes: Muscle damage or weakness, nerve damage, diarrhea, constipation, and certain medical conditions.
- Treatment: Can include dietary changes, medications, and in some cases, surgery.
