Stress and Urge Incontinence: Which Do I Have?
Millions of Americans struggle with urinary incontinence. This bladder problem can have more than one cause. Stress and urge incontinence are common types, but how do you know which one you have?
Is Your Urinary Incontinence Temporary or Persistent?
Bladder control is something we develop as children, and over time (well into adulthood) millions of people find themselves suffering a loss of this ability, known as urinary incontinence. This condition affects as many as 33% of American adults, and while it is more common in seniors, it is not a normal facet of aging. There are many different causes for this problem, and in many cases it is actually a symptom of another illness.
However, not everyone deals with the same kind of urinary incontinence, and some people have it temporarily, while others deal with it on a regular basis. Whether urinary incontinence is temporary or regular may be indicative of its cause. Let’s explore the differences by looking at the types of incontinence and how to determine which type you are dealing with.
If you live in the Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, or Greater South Florida areas and you’re suffering from the effects of urinary incontinence, Drs. Craig Herman and Steven Kester and the medical team at Urology Center of Florida can help.
Types of incontinence
While the results are similar in every variation of this condition, there are several different types of urinary incontinence:
- Stress: Coughing, sneezing, laughing, heavy lifting, or exercising causes pressure on the bladder, leading to urine leakage
- Urge: a sudden urge to urinate followed by an involuntary emptying of the bladder, possibly due to infection, neurological issues, or diabetes
- Overflow: frequent or constant dribbling due to an improperly emptying bladder
- Functional: an impairment that keeps you from reaching the toilet in time, which can be due to physical or mental limitations
- Mixed: a combination of multiple types of incontinence
Any type can lead to either small or moderate amounts of leakage, and the risk factors for getting this condition include gender (women are more likely to get this than men) obesity, smoking, family history, and various neurological conditions.
Ways to determine which type you have
Here are some ways of indicating whether you have a temporary or persistent form of urinary incontinence:
Temporary
If you only deal with this form of incontinence once in awhile, it can be due to dietary habits, infections, or medications you’re taking. Alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, chocolate, chili peppers, foods with high amounts of sugar, citric acid, or spices can cause temporary issues. Heart or blood pressure medications, sedatives, or muscle relaxants can relax bladder muscles, and high doses of vitamin C can also affect bladder stimulation. Urinary tract infections and constipation may also be responsible for short-term issues with incontinence.
Persistent
Chronic forms of this condition can stem from several events or conditions, such as pregnancy, childbirth, menopause, aging, benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate), prostate cancer, and obstructions in the urinary tract. Neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke, brain tumors, or spinal injuries can disrupt nerve signals connected to bladder control, causing chronic problems with this illness.
The embarrassment of urinary incontinence can affect your social and personal life whether it’s temporary or chronic, so if you’re dealing with any type of this condition, make an appointment with Drs. Herman and Kester by calling or messaging and Urology Center of Florida today for comfort and relief.
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