Urinary incontinence is the loss of voluntary bladder control causing leakage of urine. This temporary or chronic condition has multiple mechanisms and many causes. It can occur when you are straining (lifting, sneezing, coughing), when your bladder is full, or when you have a bladder infection. Each cause has its own methods of diagnosis and its own treatment plan. © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Urinary incontinence is a symptom of other conditions. Any loss of voluntary bladder control can be considered incontinence. Symptoms include: Leaking triggered by laughing, sneezing, lifting heavy objects, or exerciseA strong urge to urinate followed by loss of urineInability to hold urine long e...

Urinary incontinence is often a symptom of another condition. It cannot always be prevented. Women can decrease their chances of developing stress incontinence by doing Kegel exercises. This is especially helpful in women who have given birth, since childbirth weakens tissues around the bladder. Incontinence can also be prevented by emptying the bladder regularly, avoiding irritating fluids such as caffeine or alcohol, and by treating Constipation.

The treatment and management of urinary incontinence may involve simple exercises, medications, lifestyle changes, or surgery. The goal of treatment is to stop the leakage, or at least to minimize it and the complications resulting from it. Treatment involves the following: ...