What Are The Different Incontinence Types?

There are many different types of incontinence, each with its own set of symptoms and treatments. Some common types of incontinence include stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urge urinary incontinence (UUI), overflow incontinence, and functional incontinence.

Each type requires a different approach to treatment, which is why it is important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms. No matter what, however, it is important to know that you do not have to be embarrassed about these very common problems.

Stress Incontinence

Stress urinary incontinence is the involuntary release of urine during times of physical stress. This can include activities such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, or moving suddenly. Stress urinary incontinence can be caused by a variety of things, including pregnancy and childbirth, obesity, and age. It is a common problem for women but can also affect men.

There are a number of treatments available for stress urinary incontinence, including lifestyle changes, medications, and potential surgery. Pelvic floor or Kegel exercises are commonly recommended.

Urge Incontinence

Urge incontinence is a type of urinary incontinence that is characterized by an uncontrolled and sudden urge to urinate. This condition can lead to leakage of urine, especially if the person tries to hold back the urge for any length of time. This variety may be caused by a number of factors, including bladder overactivity, nerve damage, and certain medications.

One of the best ways to manage this type of incontinence is to visit the restroom frequently and make sure to void your bladder completely each time. Certain medications or other treatment plans can help.

Overflow Incontinence

Overflow incontinence is a type of urinary incontinence that is caused by an inability to completely empty the bladder. This can lead to urine release and leaking out, even when the person does not feel the urge to go to the bathroom. The condition is often seen in people with enlarged prostates, but it can also be due to other factors such as nerve damage or a blockage in the urinary tract.

The treatments available depend on the reason for the issue in the first place. Always talk with your physician and consider absorbent undergarments to help with leaks.

Functional Incontinence

Functional incontinence is a type of urinary incontinence that is caused by a problem with the way the body works, rather than by a physical problem with the bladder or urethra. Functional incontinence can be caused by problems such as nerve damage, muscle weakness, arthritic pain, traumatic brain injury or stroke, or mental confusion.

These problems can make it difficult to get to the bathroom in time or to control the bladder muscles properly. This is most often seen in elderly or infirm individuals.

Millions of people of all ages, genders, and lifestyles experience urinary incontinence at one time or another. Luckily, there are treatments available and plenty of products like absorbent undergarments that can help manage the issue in a comfortable way.

There are multiple varieties of incontinence, it is important to talk with a medical professional about possible treatment options or management methods so you or your loved one can live a happy life.