Definition: Involuntary release of urine, feces, or semen due to loss of muscle control, head injury or disease. Urinary incontinence is common in older women, especially those who have born one or more children caused by a prolapse or drooping of the bladder or uterus. Can be continuous or caused by coughing, or sudden movement. If severe may require surgical corrrection. Men may experience incontinence of urine after prostate surgery. Head injury from a stroke or trauma or spinal cord injury may also cause incontinence.

Also Known As: Urinary stress.

Common Misspellings: inconttinence, incantinence, incontinance

Related Resources:

Getting Back To Normal
A discussion of the problems men may have after prostate surgery.

Symptoms of Urinary Tract Infection
A discussion of UTI which can cause incontinence.

Treatment of Urinary Incontinence
Surgical and non-surgical treatments for this disorder.

Elsewhere on the Web:

Urinary Incontinence
Information from the American Foundation For Urologic Disease

Urinary Incontinence
Information from the Mayo Clinic

Fecal Incontinence
Information from Family Doctor.org.

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