Urinary urge incontinence (UUI), often referred to as overactive bladder with incontinence, is a condition characterized by a sudden and intense urge to urinate, followed by involuntary leakage. For many people, it’s as embarrassing and uncomfortable as it sounds. It’s also more common than you might suspect, and it can be a debilitating condition for the millions of individuals worldwide who manage it, because it significantly impacts their quality of life. Understanding the risk factors for urinary urge incontinence is essential for both prevention and treatment, since many can be effectively managed or mitigated. Let’s explore common risk factors for urinary urge incontinence, ranging from the physiological to lifestyle-related causes.
Risk Factors For Urinary Urge Incontinence
There are a number of contributing factors for urinary urge incontinence. From age and gender to health conditions and lifestyle, here’s what to understand about your risk for this type of incontinence.
Age
Your age can be a risk factor for urinary urge incontinence. While it is not considered a normal part of aging, the likelihood of developing this type of incontinence increases with age due to several physiological changes. As we get older, our bladder muscles change. The detrusor muscle in the bladder may become overactive or lose elasticity, leading to increased urgency and leakage. Aging can also affect the communication between the brain and the bladder, causing misfires that trigger an inappropriate urge to urinate. Finally, older adults are more likely to have medical conditions, such as diabetes or stroke, that can contribute to UUI.
Gender
Women are more likely to develop UUI due to factors such as pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. Carrying and delivering a baby are both events that can weaken the pelvic floor muscles, disrupt the bladder’s nerves and normal function, and increase the risk of UUI. Menopause, meanwhile, is associated with reduced estrogen levels that can thin the urethral lining and weaken the pelvic floor, contributing to bladder control issues.
In men, UUI is sometimes associated with an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) or prostate surgery, which can interfere with normal bladder function.
Neurological Disorders
Several neurological conditions can disrupt the bladder’s ability to function properly, increasing the risk of UUI. In the case of a stroke, damage to the brain’s control centers for urination can lead to involuntary bladder contractions. Multiple sclerosis is a condition affects nerve communication and can cause detrusor overactivity. Those who live with Parkinson’s disease often find that bladder dysfunction is a common symptom due to impaired neural signals. Spinal cord injuries can also interrupt the pathways between the brain and bladder, causing urge incontinence.
Medical Conditions
Certain medical conditions and diseases can exacerbate the risk of UUI. In the case of diabetes, high blood sugar levels can damage nerves that control the bladder, leading to overactive bladder symptoms. Excess weight places additional pressure on the bladder, increasing the risk of leakage. People who are prone to urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more likely to experience urgency and incontinence from irritation to the bladder lining. If you have sleep apnea, it’s associated with a condition called nocturnal polyuria (excessive nighttime urination), which can contribute to UUI.
Lifestyle Factors
Lifestyle choices can contribute to the development or worsening of UUI. If you drink caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, your consumption can be a factor. Both are diuretics that stimulate the bladder and increase urine production, worsening urgency. Chronic coughing from smoking can also weaken pelvic floor muscles, and nicotine may irritate the bladder. Spicy foods, artificial sweeteners, and acidic beverages like citrus juices can act as bladder irritants in some people, exacerbating symptoms as well.
Medications
Certain medications can increase the risk of UUI. Commonly used for hypertension or heart failure, diuretics increase urine production, potentially worsening incontinence. Anticholinergics, which are used for conditions like depression or allergies, may affect bladder function in some individuals. The same is true of sedatives, which are medications that relax muscles or reduce awareness and can impair the ability to control urination.
Genetic and Familial Factors
Genetics may play a role in the predisposition to UUI. Studies have shown that individuals with a family history of bladder dysfunction or pelvic organ prolapse are more likely to experience UUI.
Pelvic, Spinal, or Abdominal Surgery
Surgeries involving the spine, pelvic or abdominal region, such as lumbar surgery, hysterectomies or prostatectomies, can damage nerves or weaken muscles that control bladder function, increasing the risk of UUI.
Psychological Factors
Stress, anxiety, and depression are associated with UUI. These conditions can heighten the perception of urgency or alter the brain’s control over the bladder.
Physical Inactivity
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to weakened pelvic floor muscles, contributing to a higher risk of UUI. Regular physical activity, particularly exercises that strengthen the pelvic floor, can reduce this risk.
The Bottom Line On Risk Factors For Urge Incontinence
Some risk factors for urinary urge incontinence, like aging and genetic predisposition, are beyond our control. But many others can be managed through preventive strategies and lifestyle modifications. By identifying and addressing these risk factors early, individuals can reduce their likelihood of developing UUI. And the right experts can offer excellent treatments.
If you or a loved one is navigating urinary urge incontinence, it’s important to understand that you have options. It’s not a condition that must be managed in silence. In Reno, the team at Nevada Surgical can answer questions about incontinence and offer treatment suggestions that dramatically improve your quality of life. Contact us today to learn more.
