Incontinence Causes

Causes of Incontinence

• Weak muscles in particular pelvic muscles cause the bladder control problems. Pelvic muscles are stretched and weakened during pregnancy and childbirth. Weak muscles allow the bladder to go out of position, which may stretch the urethra opening.
• Nerve damage may send wrong signals to the bladder and results in bladder spasm, which may leak out urine without a warning. In some cases damaged nerves do not sense or send no signals to the brain when the bladder is full. In this cause both incontinence and incomplete emptying is possible.
• Prostate problems in men may cause bladder problems. prostate is a male gland about the size of a walnut that surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine).
  • An enlarged prostate, common among older men, may press the urethra. Results in a weak urine stream, an urgent need to urinate followed by leakage, and frequent urination, also at night.
  • Surgery or radiation treatment for prostate cancer can cause a temporary or permanent bladder control problems.

Diseases and conditions that can damage the nerves include

• Diabetes
• Parkinson’s
• Multiple sclerosis
• Stroke

Trauma that can damage the nerves includes

• pelvic or back surgery
• herniated disc
• radiation

Other causes of Incontinence

• Medicines, alcohol, and caffeine can affect certain muscles or nerves. Medicine taken to calm the nerves may dull the nerves in the bladder and stop them from signaling the brain when the bladder is full. Without the message and urge, the bladder overflows. Drinking alcohol can also cause these nerves to fail. Water pills or diuretics medication to remove water accumulated in the body will be sent to the bladder. This unexpected rapid filling may cause the bladder to leak. Caffeine drinks such as coffee and cola can also cause the bladder to fill quickly.
• Infection such as a urinary tract infection can irritate bladder nerves and cause the bladder to squeeze without warning. This type of incontinence vanishes once the infection has been treated.
• Over weight can put extra pressure on the bladder and contribute to stress incontinence.

Next: Incontinence diagnosis tests