Urinary incontinence is a condition characterized by the involuntary leakage of urine and can be divided into four main types.
1. Stress incontinence: This type of incontinence occurs when intra-abdominal pressure increases, such as during coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting heavy objects. This type of incontinence is most common in women, although it can affect people of any gender.
2. Urge incontinence: This type of incontinence is caused by an overactive bladder, which results in an urgent feeling of needing to urinate. It is often associated with a sudden, strong urge to urinate, accompanied by frequent urination.
3. Overflow incontinence: This type of incontinence is caused by an inability to completely empty the bladder. It is often associated with feeling of a full bladder, frequent urination, and a weak stream of urine.
4. Mixed incontinence: This type of incontinence is a combination of two or more types of incontinence. This is the most common type of incontinence in older adults.
It is important to note that urinary incontinence is a symptom, not a disease, and can be caused by many different conditions. Therefore, it is important to speak to your doctor if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of urinary incontinence.