Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine.
Although it affects most often the elderly and those with chronic illnesses, it can happen to otherwise healthy people. Stress incontinence occurs during activities that place pressure in the abdomen, such as heavy lifting, sneezing, coughing or laughing. This is particularly common in women who have relaxed pelvic floor muscles due to childbirths. Urge incontinence is the sudden and urgent need to urinate, resulting in an inablity to control urination. This can happen with infections.