Suara.com – When squatting, running or sneezing, sometimes we suddenly urinate a little. Many people may experience this condition frequently.
Often times, we may even have the urge to use the toilet and by the time we get there, the bladder won’t empty properly. Episodes of leaky bladder in medical terms known as urinary incontinence are quite common.
As quoted from the Times of India, urinary incontinence is a condition when you lose control of your bladder or have problems emptying it completely. You may experience a small leak from time to time or a sudden urge to use the toilet.
For some, it might happen once or twice a month, while for others it could be a daily affair. Accidental leakage of urine can occur for several reasons. Experiencing it once in a while is okay, but if it has become a daily thing, then you should call your doctor.
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There are three main types of urinary incontinence that people may experience at one time or another. They may occur together or one at a time.
- Stress incontinence: Stress incontinence can be triggered by physical activity such as laughing, exercising, coughing. In such situations, the bladder may lose control and you may urinate a little. This is quite normal and not a worrying situation.
- Urgency incontinence: Urgent incontinence refers to times when you lose control of your bladder after a sudden urge to urinate. Sometimes, you may not even be able to go to the restroom.
- Overflow incontinence: In this situation, you may pass urine in your shorts when you do not empty your bladder completely when you urinate. This type of urinary incontinence is sometimes called “dribbling.”
There are many causes of urinary incontinence. Sometimes it is caused for harmless reasons while other times, it can be an indicator of some serious underlying health condition. If you experience leaking urine more than often, here are the possible causes.
- Weak bladder due to aging
- Pelvic floor muscle damage due to childbirth or an accident
- Enlargement of the prostate
- Pressure on the bladder due to prostate or bladder cancer
- Neurological conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer’s
- Urinary tract infections such as urinary tract infections, bladder infections, kidney infections, or kidney stones
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Menopause
Episodes of urinary incontinence are considered normal if you experience them occasionally during some physical activity. Regular episodes of leaking urine are abnormal and require immediate medical attention. So, if you encounter this embarrassing situation several times a month, call your doctor and get him checked out. In some situations, incontinence can be a sign of a medical emergency.