Urology

• Disorders, conditions or diseases of the prostate
  Conditions that can cause incontinence include:
  • BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
  • Prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland
  • Prostate cancer or side effects of prostate cancer treatment
• Blockages in the urinary tract
  These can stem from many causes, including:
  • BPH
  • Benign tumors or masses
  • Various cancerous tumors
• Disorders, conditions, or diseases of the bladder
  Conditions that can cause incontinence include:
  • Interstitial cystitis - inflammation of the bladder wall
  • Neurogenic bladder - result of damage to nerve and nerve pathways
  • Prolapsed bladder - female urological condition in which the wall between the bladder and the vagina weakens and lets the bladder drop into the vagina, resulting in urine leakage
• Urinary tract infections
  UTIs can cause urge incontinence.

• Pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause
  Pregnancy, childbirth and menopause can all weaken the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder and this can lead stress incontinence.

• Surgery
  Hysterectomies and prostatectomies can weaken or damage the muscles and nerves of the urinary tract and can cause incontinence.

Risk Factors

There are certain risk factors that may increase the likelihood of developing incontinence. These risk factors include:

• Age
  Incontinence occurs more often in older adults, but it is not necessarily a part of aging and in many cases can be cured.

• Gender
  Women experience incontinence twice as often as men, often as a result of pregnancy or childbirth weakening the pelvic floor muscles that support the bladder. After menopause, the lack of estrogen can also weaken the pelvic floor muscles.

• Diet
  Some foods can irritate the bladder, such as anything with caffeine (coffee, tea, colas, chocolate) as well as acidic fruit juices and alcoholic beverages. Simply drinking a lot of fluid in a short time can lead to temporary urinary frequency and even the occasional accident. On the other hand, not drinking enough water can cause urine to become concentrated. This can irritate the bladder, again possibly leading to an accident.

• Side effects of medication
  Diuretics (water pills), as well as some sedatives, muscle relaxants and antidepressants, high blood pressure and heart medicines, cold relief and diet pills can all affect bladder control.

• Neurological disease or injury (strokes, multiple sclerosis, etc.)
  Damage to the nerves or nerve pathways can cause neurogenic bladder.

• Neurological birth defect
  These may also lead to neurogenic bladder.

• Physical birth defects
  Abnormalities in the urinary tract can cause various types of incontinence.