Urinary Incontinence Urinary incontinence refers to the involuntary loss of urine from the bladder. The urinary bladder normally functions to store urine until one elects to empty it. When this process is faulty one becomes incontinent. Urinary incontinence may occur at any age. While we are most commonly aware of urinary incontinence in children, the elderly, and some women, it may occur in any sex at any age.
Women are incontinent more frequently than men in the adult group.
Incontinence is not a lifethreatening problem but rather a social problem. It may be very embarrassing and may alter confidence and social behavior. No one is incontinent on purpose. This is the type of incontinence most commonly seen in children who have a day or night wetting problem. This is also the most common type of incontinence sen in elderly.