Causes of stress incontinence
When the pelvic floor muscles are weak and can not keep the urethra closed completely, Stress incontinence occurs. Sudden pressure on the bladder may cause leakage of urine into the urethra. A cough or sneeze can trigger it. The following may cause the pelvic floor muscles to lose some of its strength:
- Pregnancy.
- Parturition (labor).
- Menopause - when estrogen levels drop muscles can become weaker.
- A hysterectomy - surgical removal of the uterus (womb).
- Some other surgical procedures.
- Age.
- Obesity.
Causes of urge incontinence
Urge incontinence happens when the person's bladder is early, usually before it is full. The patient usually can not get to a toilet in time. Experts believe that this is due to something wrong with the signaling between the brain and bladder, but they're not really sure.
Most cases of urge incontinence diagnosed as overactive bladder, because no specific cause was found. The following causes of urge incontinence have been identified:
Cystitis - inflammation of the lining of the bladder. It usually occurs when the normally sterile urethra and the bladder is infected by bacteria and become irritated and inflamed. Cystitis is very common and can affect both men and women of all ages - It is more common in women.
CNS (central nervous system) problems - as is multiple sclerosis, stroke, and Parkinson's disease.
An enlarged prostate - urinary bladder can fall and the urethra may become irritated.
Causes of Overflow incontinence
This happens when there is an obstruction or blockage to the bladder. The patient may be unable to empty the bladder completely after urination, pressure builds up behind the obstruction, causing leakage. The following may cause an obstacle:
- An enlarged prostate gland.
- A tumor pressing on the bladder.
- Bladder Stones.
- Constipation.
- Urinary incontinence surgery that went too far.
Causes of total incontinence
This occurs when the bladder can not hold any urine and the patient is either leaking all the time or frequently. The following can cause total incontinence:
An anatomical defect the person has had from birth.
A spinal cord injury, which messes up the nerve signals between the brain and bladder.
A fistula - a tube (duct) develops between the bladder and an adjacent field, most commonly in the vagina.
The following can also sometimes cause urinary incontinence:
Certain medications - especially certain diuretics, antihypertensive drugs, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, and muscle relaxants.
Alcohol - If a person drinks a large amount of alcohol in the bladder and the muscles around it will relax, plus the individual may be less aware of when it is time to urinate. Alcohol is a diuretic and a bladder stimulants. In general, any amount of alcohol will relax the muscles of the urinary control in some extent.
Other beverages and food - some soft drinks (carbonated drinks), tea, coffee, artificial sweeteners, corn syrup can aggravate the bladder and cause episodes of incontinence. For some people, incontinence can be triggered by foods with certain spices, sugar, citric acid (citrus and tomatoes). Caffeine is a diuretic and a bladder stimulant.
Urinary tract infection - this can irritate the bladder, trigger strong urges to urinate that sometimes result in episodes of incontinence.
Dehydration - If a person becomes dehydrated urine can become very concentrated - the concentrated salts can irritate the bladder and cause incontinence.