Health Tip: Urinary Incontinence

(HealthDay News) -- Urinary incontinence occurs when urine leaks from your bladder, or you cannot control your urge to urinate. It occurs more frequently in women than in men, often in older women and after pregnancy.

Although incontinence is often caused by weakening, aging muscles, there are other causes that are treatable, says the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Sometimes it''s caused by an illness or infection, a blockage in the urinary passage, or because your bladder can''t fully empty itself.

You may be able to control urinary incontinence by strengthening your bladder muscles. Pelvic exercises and a regular urination schedule may help reduce leaking, as can certain medications, changes to diet, weight loss, implants or inserts, or surgery.

-- Diana Kohnle

Last Updated: Aug. 16, 2006