Urinary incontinence is the decreased ability of an individual to control their bladder. The condition can vary from individual to individual, but it generally results in several embarrassing situations. Urinary incontinence is commonly seen in elderly people and can affect the day-to-day activities in addition to causing some emotional distress.
The common types of incontinence include:
- Stress incontinence
- Urge incontinence
- Overflow incontinence
- Functional incontinence
- Mixed incontinence
- Temporary incontinence
Some of the common causes of incontinence include urinary tract infection, constipation, enlargement of the prostate, excessive stress, neurological stress, excessive intake of alcohol and others. People with weight issues, smoking habit, a family history of incontinence and diabetes also have a higher risk of being affected by incontinence.
The treatment for urinary incontinence depends on the type of incontinence, its severity and the underlying cause. In most cases a combination of treatments may be needed. Some of the common techniques used for the treatment of urinary incontinence include – bladder training, increased voiding, and improved diet management.
