What is Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence occurs when the normal process of storing and passing urine is disrupted causing involuntary leakage of urine. Some people will experience minor leaks occasionally, while others will wet their clothes. The condition can affect both men and women and can occur at any age. Women are more susceptible because of childbirth.

There are five different types of urinary incontinence

• Stress urinary incontinence - SUI
  Stress incontinence occurs when the pressure in the abdomen exceeds the urethral closure pressure which results in involuntary leakage or urine.

• Urge urinary incontinence - UI
  Urge incontinence occurs when the bladder is either unstable or overactive. A sudden involuntary contraction of the bladder’s muscular wall can occur, which can give rise to urinary urgency – an urge to urinate which cannot be supressed and an involuntary loss of urine for no apparent reason.
  
  
• Mixed urinary incontinence - MUI
  Mixed urinary incontinence is classified as a mixture of both stress and urge incontinence.
  
  
• Overflow urinary incontinence
  More commonly experienced by men, overflow incontinence is often caused by a blockage or obstruction to the bladder outlet, such as an enlarged prostate gland, bladder stones or constipation making it impossible to empty the bladder properly.
  
  
• Functional incontinence
  Some, mainly older, individuals are incontinent simply because a physical or mental impairment prevents them from reaching the toilet in time.