Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine.
Risk factors. It appears mostly during adulthood and affects more women than men. Symptoms can range from mild urine leakage to uncontrollable abundant urine loss. It becomes more common with age.
Causes. If the muscles that keep the bladder closed are weak, you may have losses of urine when sneezing, laughing, coughing or lifting heavy objects. If the bladder muscles are too active, you may feel a strong urge to go to the bathroom when you have little urine in the bladder.
Treatment. Simple exercises, medicines, special devices or surgery.