Incontinence

What is Incontinence?

Incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine or faeces that may result in problems with hygiene or with participation in everyday life.

Transient incontinence is urinary incontinence that has appeared suddenly in a person who is otherwise continent. Some medications, constipation, urinary tract infection, immobility, uncontrolled diabetes, delirium or acute confusion may cause transient incontinence, but if these factors are correctly treated or managed, the urinary incontinence disappears. Therefore, when a person suddenly becomes incontinent it is very important that professional help is sought or offered immediately and the incontinence is not just accepted.

Established incontinence is often classified as either stress incontinence, urge incontinence, overflow incontinence or functional incontinence. Stress and urge incontinence often occur together and may be called mixed incontinence.

Stress incontinence is any involuntary loss of urine that occurs when a person coughs, sneezes, laughs, jumps or engages in any activity that causes a sudden rise in pressure inside the abdomen. The urine is usually lost in small drops or spurts but can also be lost in larger amounts.

Known risk factors for stress incontinence are childbirth, chronic constipation and obesity. Other causes may be surgery and conditions associated with excessive coughing (eg asthma).