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Urinary Incontinence: Why Does It Happen?

Summary & Participants

Urinary incontinence is an embarrassing and frustrating problem that affects millions of adults in the United States. Many think it's just a consequence of aging, but in fact there are a variety of causes that can affect younger adults as well. Tune in as our guests discuss the different types of incontinence and why they occur.

Medically Reviewed On: June 30, 2008

Webcast Transcript

THERESA ROCHE: I got up at night and I could not control urination to hold it to get to the bathroom.

JULIA ROJAS: I was out of the house and I sneezed and when I sneezed everything came out of my pants wet.

THERESA ROCHE: I felt that I had become like a baby.

JULIA ROJAS: I felt that I didn't have any choice. That that's what I had to put up with.

MABEL JONG: Urinary incontinence is an embarrassing and frustrating problem that effects millions of adults in the U.S. Many think it's just a consequence of aging, but in fact, there are a variety of causes that can affect younger adults as well.

Hello, everyone. Welcome to our webcast. I'm Mabel Jong. Joining me to discuss the different types of incontinence are Dr. David Chaikin, Clinical Assistant Professor of Urology at Weill Cornell Medical College and Dr. Robert Salant, Clinical Associate Professor of Urology at New York University Medical Center. Gentlemen, thanks for being on the program.

DAVID CHAIKIN, MD: Sure.

MABEL JONG: Well, first of all, Dr. Chaikin, let's start with you. How big a problem is this condition?

DAVID CHAIKIN, MD: Well, incontinence is a major health problem. It can be oftentimes a sign of a serious problem that needs to be evaluated. In fact, it's been estimated that it effects as many as 14 million people in the United States.

MABEL JONG: Let's go over some of the causes of it. Dr. Salant, do you want to take that?

ROBERT SALANT, MD: There are many causes of urinary incontinence, some of which are correctable and curable. One of the most common is a urinary infection which is usually easily treatable. There are other causes of urinary incontinence which might be temporary such pregnancy. In addition, there are bladder muscle issues such as an unstable bladder or an overactive bladder which may lead to urinary incontinence.

In men, prostate enlargement may also lead to incontinence and neurologic conditions such as multiple sclerosis and stroke can also lead to incontinence.

MABEL JONG: Can it also be a sign of a more serious health issue like diabetes?

ROBERT SALANT, MD: Absolutely. Diabetes can affect the bladder in many ways, one of which is the amount of urine that is being made, increasing the volume of urine, as well as affecting the bladder muscle itself and the innervation to the muscle.

MABEL JONG: Now, Dr. Chaikin, are there different types of incontinence?

DAVID CHAIKIN, MD: There are. There are several different types of incontinence. One is called "stress" incontinence, and that's basically the involuntary leakage of urine with exertion. There is another type of incontinence called "urge" incontinence. That's typically what one thinks about when they have the overactive bladder, and that's the involuntary leakage of urine simply when someone can't get to the bathroom in time.

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