urinary incontinence, inability to control urination, caused by acute or chronic factors. Five classes of chronic incontinence are recognized. Functional incontinence is the result of cerebral clouding and/or physical factors that make it difficult to get to bathroom facilities in time. Overflow incontinence occurs when the urinary tract is obstructed or when the detrusor muscle fails to contract as bladder capacity is reached; spinal cord injury or benign prostatic hypertrophy may be the cause. Stress incontinence is precipitated by coughing, sneezing, or straining; it occurs more often in women and is commonly related to anatomic changes. Urge incontinence is the inability to delay voiding after a sensation of bladder fullness is perceived. Reflex incontinence occurs when there is detrusor hyperreflexia and/or urethral relaxation due to neurological causes, such as spinal cord injury. Urinary incontinence can have mixed etiologies. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include anticipatory toileting, bladder retraining, exercise of perineal muscles, anticholinergic medications, and surgery. See also incontinence, retention with overflow.
