Types of Incontinence (Definitions)

The most common forms of urinary incontinence are listed below.

• Stress incontinence is the leakage of urine during exercise, coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting heavy objects, or other body movements that put pressure on the bladder. It occurs most often in women.

• Urge incontinence is the inability to hold urine long enough to reach a toilet. It is often found in people who have conditions such as stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and multiple sclerosis, but it can occur in otherwise healthy persons.

• Overflow incontinence is the leakage of small amounts of urine from a bladder that is always full. In older men, this type of incontinence occurs when an enlarged prostate blocks the flow of urine from the bladder. Another cause is loss of normal bladder contractions in some people with diabetes.

• Functional incontinence occurs in many older people who have normal urine control but who have difficulty reaching a toilet in time because of arthritis or other crippling disorders.