It is the most common type of incontinence and can almost always be cured. Urge incontinence happens if you can't hold your urine long enough to reach a toilet. Although healthy people can have urge incontinence, it is often found in people who have diabetes, stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis. It can also be a warning sign of early bladder cancer. In men, it is often a sign of an enlarged prostate.
Overflow incontinence happens when small amounts of urine leak from a bladder that is always full.
In older men, this can occur when the flow of urine from the bladder is blocked. Some people with diabetes also have this problem. Functional incontinence happens in many older people who have relatively normal urine control but who have a hard time getting to the toilet in time because of arthritis or other crippling disorders. The first and most important step in treating incontinence is to see a doctor for a complete medical exam. The doctor will ask for a detailed history of your health and give you a physical exam.