One of the most prevalent types of urinary incontinence in older adults is urge incontinence,. So it is important to understand what is urge incontinence. You may also hear this type of incontinence called a spastic or overactive bladder, because it is caused by abnormal bladder spasms or contractions. It manifests itself as a very sudden and strong ‘urge’ to urinate. While the involuntary loss of urine may seem like a disease unto itself, it is actually a harbinger of an underlying problem, and as such it should not be ignored.
When you notice the symptoms of urge incontinence beginning, you will want to let your doctor know, and he or she can help you to determine the source of the problem. There are many different things that can cause urge incontinence, so it is a good idea to have a medical professional evaluate your individual problem. When you suffer from urge incontinence the spasms in the bladder cause such a sudden and violent contraction, that urine is forced through the strong sphincter muscles normally charged with regulating the flow of urine.
The key then, is to find out why the contraction occurs in the first place. There are many different reasons why the bladder may experience sudden and strong contractions, and this is why it is important to discuss your problem with a medical health professional. Your doctor can determine if some sort of nerve damage has occurred possibly as a result of disease or injury. By the same token, this condition can occur as a result of damage to the spinal cord.
Despite best efforts, there are many times when the exact cause cannot be found even though a trigger is found like the bladder may be stimulated into contracting at the sound of running water. However, even if you do not find the exact cause of your urge incontinence, it is important to rule out some major diseases as the cause.
The symptoms for urge incontinence are pretty straight forward. Accompanied by an involuntary urine leakage, you are constantly feeling the urge to urinate. The leakage happens both during the day and at night, and in some cases the problem can be cured while in other cases it simply needs to be managed.
Urge incontinence is generally treated with behavior modification, medication or surgery depending on the underlying cause of the condition. So now that you have answered the question, what is urge incontinence, you can work with your medical professional to manage your particular situation in the best way possible. At DryForLife we have been helping our customers deal with their incontinence challenges for over forty years, and now we are ready to help you.
Further Urge Incontinence Articles
- Just Can't Wait - All About Urge Incontinence
- Frequent Causes of Urge Incontinence in Men
- Urge Incontinence in Women Increases the Chance of Injury
- What is Urge Incontinence?
- Mental Health Related to Bladder Problems in Women
Disclaimer - The research, clinical material and advice provided on this website is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for medical treatment, nor an alternative to medical advice. Any action taken in response to the information given on this website is at the reader's own discretion. Readers should always consult their own Doctor in all health matters. Please read our Terms and conditions. Copyright ©2003-2010 DryForLife®
Tags: overactive bladder, urge incontinence, Urinary Incontinence
