Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Urinary Incontinence
Number of Conditions: 4
Stress Incontinence
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Urologic and Renal Disorders
Sub-category: Urinary Incontinence
Symptoms:
leakage of urine with physical activity (e.g., coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting); involuntary loss of urine; weak pelvic floor muscles
Root Cause:
Weakening of the pelvic floor muscles or sphincter, often due to aging, childbirth, or other factors. The bladder is unable to prevent urine leakage during moments of physical stress.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Patient history and physical examination. Urinalysis to rule out other causes. Urodynamics to assess bladder function. Cystoscopy or pelvic ultrasound in some cases.
Treatment:
Pelvic floor exercises (Kegel exercises). Behavioral therapy (bladder training). Lifestyle modifications (e.g., weight loss, caffeine reduction). Surgery (e.g., sling procedure, bladder neck suspension). Pessaries to support the bladder.
Medications:
Medications may include anticholinergics (e.g., oxybutynin ) to reduce bladder spasms and alpha-agonists (e.g., pseudoephedrine ) for increasing urethral tone. These are used in cases with mixed incontinence or if there is concurrent urge incontinence.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects approximately 25% of women, with the incidence increasing with age.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Pregnancy and childbirth. Obesity. Older age. Menopause. Pelvic surgery.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Can be effectively managed with lifestyle changes, pelvic exercises, and in some cases surgery. Symptoms may worsen over time if untreated.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Social embarrassment and mental health issues. Skin irritation or infections from chronic wetness. Urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Urge Incontinence
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Urologic and Renal Disorders
Sub-category: Urinary Incontinence
Symptoms:
sudden, intense urge to urinate; involuntary leakage of urine; frequent urination, especially at night
Root Cause:
Overactive bladder muscles that contract uncontrollably, leading to the urgent need to urinate and potential involuntary leakage.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Detailed patient history. Urinalysis and urine culture to rule out infection. Urodynamics to assess bladder and muscle function.
Treatment:
Bladder training and scheduled voiding. Medications (e.g., anticholinergics like tolterodine, oxybutynin) to relax the bladder muscles. Behavioral therapy. Surgery (in severe cases, botox injections or bladder augmentation).
Medications:
The most common medications are anticholinergics (e.g., oxybutynin , tolterodine ) which block the neurotransmitters that cause bladder spasms, and beta-3 agonists (e.g., mirabegron ) to relax the bladder muscle.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects around 16% of the general population, with a higher prevalence in older adults.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age (more common in older adults). Neurological conditions (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease). Diabetes. Obesity. Women after menopause.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Can be managed with medications, bladder retraining, and lifestyle changes, though it can be chronic.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Increased risk of falls due to frequent bathroom visits. Skin irritation or infections. Emotional and social impact due to the urgency and unpredictability of symptoms.
Overflow Incontinence
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Urologic and Renal Disorders
Sub-category: Urinary Incontinence
Symptoms:
frequent dribbling or leakage of urine; inability to completely empty the bladder; feeling of fullness in the bladder
Root Cause:
Bladder becomes overfull and leaks because it cannot fully empty due to obstruction (e.g., enlarged prostate) or poor bladder muscle contraction.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Patient history and physical exam. Post-void residual urine measurement (using ultrasound or catheter). Urodynamic testing. Cystoscopy for potential obstructions.
Treatment:
Treatment of the underlying cause (e.g., prostate surgery for men). Intermittent catheterization. Medications for bladder muscle function (e.g., bethanechol in some cases). Surgery (in cases of obstruction or neurological causes).
Medications:
Medications like cholinergic agents (e.g., bethanechol ) can sometimes be used to stimulate bladder contractions if the issue is due to underactive bladder muscles.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
More common in older adults, particularly men with prostate issues.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Diabetes and other neuropathies. Spinal cord injury. Medications that affect bladder function (e.g., alpha-blockers).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Can be managed with treatment of the underlying cause, though it may require long-term management.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs). Bladder damage from long-term retention of urine. Social and psychological impact.
Functional Incontinence
Specialty: Senior Health and Geriatrics
Category: Urologic and Renal Disorders
Sub-category: Urinary Incontinence
Symptoms:
inability to reach the bathroom in time due to physical or cognitive limitations; frequent accidents due to immobility or mental confusion
Root Cause:
Physical or cognitive impairments (e.g., arthritis, dementia) that prevent the individual from accessing the bathroom or recognizing the need to urinate in time.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Detailed patient history to identify physical or cognitive impairments. Physical and cognitive assessments. Observation of urinary patterns.
Treatment:
Environmental modifications (e.g., accessible toilets, grab bars). Assistance with toileting. Behavioral strategies. Management of underlying conditions (e.g., cognitive therapy for dementia).
Medications:
Medications typically focus on the underlying condition, such as antidepressants (e.g., duloxetine ) for associated depression or antipsychotics for dementia-related incontinence.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in older adults, especially those with cognitive decline or mobility limitations.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Cognitive impairment (e.g., dementia, Alzheimer’s disease). Physical disability or immobility. Depression.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Varies depending on the severity of the underlying physical or cognitive condition; can improve with proper interventions and support.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Skin breakdown or infections due to chronic wetness. Social withdrawal and emotional distress.