Types of incontinence
Types of incontinence
Overactive bladder (OAB) is defined as urgency (with or without urge incontinence) where the detrusor muscle, which controls the bladder, is overactive. Key features are usually frequency (needing to go to the toilet more than eight times a day) and nocturia (needing to go to the toilet more than once during the night).
OAB is associated with falls and fractures in older people because of the need to rush to the toilet. Incontinence occurs if the urge to urinate cannot be overcome and can result in unpredictable large volumes of leakage.
Mixed incontinence is also common (around 35 per cent of cases) and is a combination of stress and urge incontinence, where involuntary leakage is associated with both urgency and physical stress (exertion, effort, sneezing or coughing). In mixed incontinence, treatment is directed towards the predominant symptom.
