Types of Incontinence

Stress incontinence occurs when physical movement or activities like coughing, sneezing, running or heavy lifting puts pressure on the bladder. This pressure is the cause of “stress” and results in bladder leakage.

Overactive bladder occurs when the muscles of the bladder contract involuntarily, even when the volume of urine in your bladder is low. This involuntary contraction creates the urgent need to urinate. Although it’s not uncommon among older adults, overactive bladder isn’t a normal part of aging.

Mixed incontinence occurs when symptoms of both the stress and urgency types of incontinence are present. Often, symptoms of one type of incontinence may be more severe than the other.

Overflow incontinence occurs when a person is unable to empty their bladder completely and it overflows as new urine is produced. Most common in men with enlarged prostates.

Functional incontinence is less about a disorder and more about not getting to the bathroom in time. Most common with the elderly or disabled, functional incontinence occurs when a sufferer physically cannot get to a bathroom before an episode.